Pat Denault Prize

The Pat Denault Prize shall be awarded every two years to recognize a Business History Conference member who has contributed significantly to the organization’s growth and vitality. The prize honors Pat Denault’s many contributions to the BHC’s growth since the 1980s, building connections within the business history field, with the BHC at its center.

In the 1980s she established the book exhibit as a feature of the annual meeting. In the 1990s, she participated in founding Enterprise and Society and worked on its editorial team through 2003. She led the BHC’s movement into digital media, creating and editing its website from 1995 to 2015. In 2010 she initiated The Exchange, posting more than 1,400 informative items online by 2018. She also served on BHC committees and as a Trustee.

The Pat Denault Prize Committee shall consist of the Past President, who will chair, and the President-on-Board, as well as a third member appointed by the President. The Secretary shall solicit nominations from the membership. The Committee shall review the nominations and select the nominee who has, in its judgment, contributed most to the BHC’s growth and vitality. The Committee shall recommend this member to the Board of Trustees for ratification. The Committee is not obligated to make a recommendation if, in its judgment, there is no nominee worthy of the award.

The Pat Denault Prize rewards engagement in building and enriching the BHC, and nominees should not be restricted by the stage or nature of their careers. The award consists of a commemorative piece and $1,000, presented at the annual meeting.

The Pat Denault Prize Committee for 2026 consists of Professors Stephen Mihm, Sharon Murphy, and Mark Rose.  Nominations and all questions regarding the prize should be directed to BHC Secretary, Dr. Vicki Howard, at vickihowardbhc@gmail.com. 

The deadline for nominations is January 15, 2026.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution through Eventbrite or by check, specified for the Pat Denault Prize endowment and made out to the Business History Conference, sent to Roger Horowitz, Hagley Museum and Library, PO Box 3630, Wilmington, DE 19807.