Awards

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.

Jayne and Richard Burkhardt Scholarship for Outstanding Undergraduate Achievement

Jayne and Richard Burkhardt Scholarship originates from a gift to the Department by the Burkhardt family whose intention was to “provide funds the History Department could use to encourage undergraduate students to pursue history majors.”

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

Recipients2026: Lillian Webb, Naomi Saathoff2025: Sonny Steinhauer; LiAn Barclay2024: Anthony Erkan2023: Elizabeth Janecek, Morgan Paoli2022: Nico Divizio, Faithe Wenger2021: Esther Armenta, Kyle Hubert2019: Yoss Arianlou, Michael J. Ruby2018: Bennett Stewart2017: Jaime Nolasco

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. Thesis writers who wish to be considered for this scholarship must submit drafts of their projects by the deadline, which will be announced spring semester.

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.  

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.  Selection of the Bierma Award winners is made by the Dean of Honors Programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies, on the basis of outstanding GPA and superior commitment to the study of history as evidenced by the students’ records in upper-division courses. 

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. Scholarship money will be paid in the summer before the student’s senior year, to help support research on the thesis.

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. Recipients are determined by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, in consultation with the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies.

The Kathryn Oberdeck Public History Award

The Kathryn Oberdeck Public History Award honors the dedication and scholarship of our colleague professor Kathryn Oberdeck. Her commitment to public history, and to service for the common good, is one of her most enduring legacies. The award supports undergraduates who are undertaking experiential learning or professional development projects in the areas of public history and/or community engagement. Appropriate projects may include, but are not limited to, internships, an honors research paper, or major independent research project. Projects will involve collaboration with a community...