Each year, shortly after the new class of Thouron Award recipients are announced, we are pleased to host a luncheon in Philadelphia to welcome the newest scholars and introduce them to the Thouron Family, their fellow scholars and alumni, and our administrative staff. We also take this time to bid farewell to any British scholars at Penn who are finishing their studies. 

Rupert Thouron shaking hands and giving a tie to a new Thouron Scholar at the Welcome Party at UPenn
Rupert Thouron presents a tie to Michael John, Am’22, who is currently working towards his M.A. in Race, Ethnicity and Postcolonial Studies at University College London. Photo by Lucy Baber Photography.
American and British Scholars gather with local Alumni and the Thouron Family at the annual Tie and Scarf Luncheon in Philadelphia. Lucy Baber Photography.
Srinidhi Ramakrishna, Am’23, chat with fellow Scholars and Alumni while wearing the Thouron scarf at our annual welcome luncheon in Philadelphia. Srinidhi is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in the Social Science of the Internet. Lucy Baber Photography.

History of the Tie and Scarf Luncheon

In 1975, around the fifteenth anniversary, “Tiger” Thouron decided it was time for the Thouron Award to have a tie or scarf designating one’s affiliation with the Award.

It is traditional for most academic institutions, especially in the U.K., to have a school tie.

One morning over his breakfast tea, Tiger drew the pattern that he envisioned, the British Lion holding aloft a shield with the letter “T” alternating with a double row of American Eagles each emblazoned with the “T” across their breast.

He chose a traditional navy blue background, contrasted with mustard yellow Lions and Eagles, simply because his favourite colour was yellow, not to mention that he loved Coleman’s Mustard.

Close up of the Lion and Eagle pattern on a Thouron scarf.

The drawing was sent to London to the company Alfred Dunhill Ltd, a company renowned for its bespoke menswear, for the making of the silk screens. Tiger expected a professional rendering of his sketch by a graphic designer prior to the printing. Yet, to his dismay, the ties and scarves were printed directly from his “morning doodle” as he called it and to make matters worse the blue was not navy but a more royal blue and the mustard was a vibrant yellow. Despite the furore, it was too late to change anything. Of course the 70’s was a particularly colourful era so the newly minted Thouron colours certainly seemed enough in vogue.

The ties and scarves were first presented in 1975, the 15th anniversary of the Award. Ever since they have been given to Thouron Scholars at this annual Welcome-Farewell Luncheon. New American recipients heading to Great Britain in the fall receive them first, followed by the British Thouron Scholars who have completed their course of studies at Penn. As fashion changed, so did the width of the tie and often one can tell which decade a Thouron tie was presented. The scarves initially were quite large, a true Carré, but since have become smaller to be in keeping with fashion trends.

In 1985 the first bow ties were made for Tiger and Rupert as well as the Thouron Selection Committee and Executive Board members. In the 80’s, Jane Thouron wore a stunning full length evening skirt made from 7 silk scarves for the Twenty Fifth Anniversary Celebrations.

Get to Know Tiger Thouron

“Tiger” Thouron, 1934-2006.

Tiger was born in Edinburgh, U.K., and was the son of Thouron Award founders, Sir John Rupert Hunt Thouron, CBE, KBE, and Lady Thouron. He was father to Rupert Thouron and Rachel Thouron Vere Nicoll, who currently manage the Award. Tiger passed away in 2006.

Learn more about the history of the Thouron Award.

Sharing Ties and Scarves at the 60th Anniversary

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary, alumni who attended the parties were given a Thouron bow tie or a twillie, which creative alumni have used not only as the intended delicate neck scarf, but also as a hair tie, an accent on a handbag, and even a wrist band. In a surprising twist, Rupert decided to reverse the colours, giving us a yellow background and a blue lion and eagle, making them truly festive for the occasion.

If you missed out on the celebration, please try to join us for the 75th and we will be able to add to your collection. Rupert plans to wear the only yellow Thouron Tie and Rachel is hoping to persuade one of her daughters, either Emily or Hannah, to wear the famous silk skirt.

Rupert Thouron shares a gold version of the ties and scarves to Scholars and Alumni in attendance at the 60th Anniversary Celebration in Brooklyn, August 2023. Kamila Harris Photography.

Discover more photos and memories from the 60th Anniversary Celebrations.

Getting to see all of the members of our community wearing the Thouron Award emblems proudly is truly a joy!

Rachel Thouron Vere Nicoll shares a laugh with Alumni and new Scholars after the Tie and Scarf Ceremony at our annual luncheon in Philadelphia. Lucy Baber Photography.
British Scholars studying at Penn pose for a group photo wearing their Thouron scarves and ties
Members of the British Thouron Award class of 2022 (Will Chan, Caitlin Evans, Matthew Timmons-Brown, Hazel Kerr, and Alexa Bish-Jones) pose together at the annual luncheon in Philadelphia while wearing their Thouron Ties and Scarves. Lucy Baber Photography.

Join Our Community of Scholars & Alumni

You can learn more about the Thouron Award, our application process, and the selection process by reading the FAQs for U.S. applicants or for U.K. applicants.

If you feel confident and ready to begin your application via our online portal, please pay close attention to which application you should initiate. Applications are typically open from July through October each year for U.S. applicants, and July through mid-November for U.K. applicants.

U.S. Applicants: Apply from Penn 

U.K. Applicants: Apply from the United Kingdom