The nominations for the Tuck Centennial Award have been released. Here is the text of the award qualifications:

The Tuck Centennial Award is awarded to a first-year and a second-year student who exemplify the spirit and character of the Tuck School. Chosen by their classmates, recipients embody outstanding leadership, selflessness in everyday actions, extensive involvement both at Tuck and in the Upper Valley communities and a firm commitment to the traditions and principles of the Tuck School.

Since I wasn’t nominated, I have to criticize.  Who decided that these qualities “exemplify the spirit and character of the Tuck School?”

Why is “selflessness in everyday actions” considered a virtue? How do we define selflessness? Why should we award that quality? Wouldn’t a truly selfless person refuse the award, or at least be embarrassed by it?

Isn’t the truly selfless person a complete failure? None of the four candidates are truly selfless…and I say that as a compliment. I’ve never met anyone who is truly selfless, probably because that’s not part of the human condition. So why did a donor sponsor this award? Most likely they feel guilty about how much money they have.

I’m just not sure why this is considered a virtue.

Who donated this award?