The Dr. Finbarr O’Connor Prize for Shifting the Paradigm is a $15,000 award presented annually at Arcadia University’s Honors Convocation to members of the Arcadia community—students, alumni, faculty, staff, and parents—who challenge conventional thinking, solve problems in their field, or address issues in their local and global communities through discovery, critical analysis, logic, and creativity. It recognizes change agents who have used innovation to create fundamental change, shifting the paradigm they faced.
The O’Connor Prize is established through the philanthropic support of Suneet P. Chauhan, MD ’79, ’18H and his wife, Laurie Pitchford, and is named in honor of Dr. Finbarr “Barry” O’Connor, professor emeritus and former chair of Religion and Philosophy.
Nomination Instructions
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 O’Connor Prize for $15,000. This is the final year the Prize will be awarded. In order to be considered, nominees must submit a one-page entry addressing each of the below questions by Friday, February 27, 2026 and the Prize to be distributed in Spring 2026. All entries must include the nominee’s name, daytime phone number, email address, and relationship to the University. Nominees may be individuals or teams/groups. Questions about the application process can be directed to Rachel Fox ’15M, Interim Director for Advancement Communications, at foxr01@arcadia.edu.
- What is the paradigm?
- How did the nominee shift the paradigm?
- What is the objective evidence that a paradigm shift has occurred?
- What is the objective evidence that the paradigm shift has improved well-being in the community?
- How is the nominee planning to shift the paradigm further?
To submit a nomination, complete the form below.
Dr. Finbarr O'Connor Prize Nomination Submission
The Dr. Finbarr O'Connor Prize for Shifting the Paradigm Nomination Submission Form
Meet Our Past Winners
2024: One Million Dollar Team
The Arcadia Public Art Project was created by Ms. Abbey Ryan ’03, Associate Professor, Visual and Performing Arts; Prof. Maryann E. Worrell ’05, Adjunct Professor and Art Education Advisor; Ms. Krista G. Profitt ’11, Artist. and Mr. David Guinn.
2022: Arcadia Public Art Project
Arcadia University alumnus David Smith EdD ’00 was awarded the 2024 Dr. Finbarr O’Connor Prize for Shifting the Paradigm, which this year is a $15,000 prize, for his project, “One Million Dollar Team.” This project teaches middle school students to help eliminate systemic poverty through the empowerment of microloans in the U.S. and abroad.
