---
title: 2 UMD Scholars Among 10 Nationwide Awarded Barry Prize
date: 2025-12-04T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/2-umd-scholars-among-10-nationwide-awarded-barry-prize"
section: Articles
---
# 2 UMD Scholars Among 10 Nationwide Awarded Barry Prize

*December 4, 2025* — by [Rachael Grahame ’17](/author/rachael-keeney-17), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences Staff](/author/college-of-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences-staff)


> American Academy of Sciences and Letters Honors Distinguished Intellectual Achievement

*Campus Fall 10312024 DS 8426 DAM 1920x1080 — Charles Butterworth, a professor emeritus of the Department of Government and Politics, and Distinguished University Professor Sylvester James Gates Jr., who holds the Clark Leadership Chair in Science and a joint appointment in the Department of Physics and the School of Public Policy, were honored recently as two of 10 scholars nationally to be awarded the Barry Prize. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)*

Two University of Maryland faculty members received the American Academy of Sciences and Letters’[ 2025 Barry Prize for Distinguished Intellectual Achievement](https://academysciencesletters.org/2025-barry-prize/), presented annually to scholars who have “made outstanding contributions to humanity's knowledge, appreciation and cultivation of the good, the true and the beautiful.”

Charles Butterworth, a professor emeritus of the Department of Government and Politics, and Distinguished University Professor Sylvester James Gates Jr., who holds the Clark Leadership Chair in Science and a joint appointment in the[ Department of Physics](https://umdphysics.umd.edu/) and the[ School of Public Policy](https://spp.umd.edu/), were among 10 honorees who each received a cash award of $50,000 and became members of the academy.


*Sylvester James Gates Jr. and Charles Butterworth pose with award — Gates (left) receives the award from American Academy of Sciences and Letters President Donald W. Landry.*


*man on left receives award citation from man on right — Butterworth (left) receives the award from Landry.*




**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Physics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/physics), [Government and Politics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/government-and-politics), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences), [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences), [School of Public Policy](https://today.umd.edu/topic/school-public-policy)