Awards and Scholarships

The Centenary Prize for Outstanding Senior in the Teaching of Social Studies

The prize recognizes the superior scholarship and pedagogical promise of students the Social Studies Education Program, and is awarded on the basis of overall academic performance and a record for excellence in the students’ coursework and preparation for a career in teaching. 

C. Ernest Dawn Undergraduate Research Travel Award

Travel awards and grants of up to $500 are available to students who can demonstrate that their original research would be significantly enhanced or facilitated by travel to an archive, museum, library, or conference; and/or whose projects require specialized equipment or access to online databases, printed materials, or other sources not available on campus or through our own library.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes seniors who have gone above and beyond in their service to the Department by assisting with new student recruitment, becoming on-campus leaders within the Department and the History Honors Society Phi Alpha Theta, and helping create a stronger, more cohesive sense of community within the Department.

The Kathryn Oberdeck Public History Award

The Kathryn Oberdeck Public History Award honors the dedication and scholarship of professor Kathryn Oberdeck. The award supports undergraduates who are undertaking experiential learning or professional development projects in the areas of public history and/or community engagement. 

Michael Scher Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Paper

Named in memory of Professor Michael Scher, who taught in the department between 1971 and 1975, the Scher Award was created in 1977 to recognize the outstanding undergraduate paper or project submitted in a regular History course during the preceding calendar year.  

The Martha Belle Barrett Scholarship for Undergraduate Academic Excellence

This scholarship recognizes graduating seniors who have exhibited outstanding scholarly achievement in history over the entire course of their academic careers at the University of Illinois.  

Robert H. Bierma Scholarship for Superior Academic Merit in History

This scholarship was established in 1985 to recognize superior academic merit in history and to contribute to the tuition of students entering their senior year at the University.  

Walter N. Breymann Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduate History Majors

This scholarship recognizes promising History majors who have demonstrated academic merit, future promise, and financial need. 

Jayne and Richard Burkhardt Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement

The Jayne and Richard Burkhardt Scholarship is awarded to four undergraduates annually who have demonstrated exceptional ability in their first year in the History Department – whether as first year students or transfers to the Department.

Robert W. Johannsen Scholarship for Promising Senior Honors Thesis Research

This scholarship is awarded annually to an Honors student with junior standing, for the support of work on a senior thesis, especially in the field of United States history. 

Mark H. Leff Scholarship for Outstanding Honors Thesis

Named in honor of consummate teacher and mentor Professor Mark H. Leff, this scholarship is awarded each year to a senior student in the Honors Program.

Thomas A. Manning Memorial Scholarship

Winton U. Solberg Scholarship

This scholarship, named in honor of Professor Winton Solberg (1922-2019) and funded through the generosity of the Solberg family, will be awarded to a promising undergraduate student studying American history.

John and Judith Steinberg-Alfonsi Scholarship for Outstanding History Undergraduate & Academic Excellence

This scholarship is awarded to outstanding history undergradautes who demonstrate academic excellence. 

William F. and Virginia C. Waterman Scholarship

The William F. and Virginia C. Waterman Scholarship is awarded based on performance in the core required classes for the History major: History 200 and 498.