• About the Program
• Advisors
• Declaring a Major or Minor
• Courses & Yearly Planner
• Major Requirements
• Minor Requirements
• Honors Program
• Yearly Awards
• Forms
• Research Opportunities

Yearly Undergraduate Awards

Each year, the History Department recognizes outstanding students with several different awards:

Hearst Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship in History

This award is given annually to the best Junior History Major and carries a stipend of $500.00 for an individual winner. Recipients are chosen by the department. Note: There is no cash prize, the award money is applied directly toward tuition costs.

Charles D. Hurd Scholars

One junior candidate will be nominated by the department each spring to WCAS's Committee on Superior Students and Honors. Two students will be chosen who demonstrate the promise of distinguished senior-year research in the major. Each recipient will receive $500.00.

Grace Douglas Johnston Award

This award is given to the best Senior Honors Thesis presented to the History Department. The amount of this prize is $500.00, but may be split in the event that two winners are selected. Additionally, honorable mention awards are often given.

The Wilks Prize in African History

Prize of $100.00 to be awarded for an outstanding undergraduate essay submitted as a course requirement in African History. Essays to be submitted by nomination from the professor for whose class they were written. Closing date for submission would be the beginning of Exam Week of the Spring Quarter.

Jacob Lassner Prize

Prize of $150.00 for the best undergraduate essay in Jewish or Islamic civilization written for any department or program.

Freshman Seminar Essay Award

This $150.00 cash award is given annually for the best History freshman seminar final paper.

395 Research Seminar Essay Award

This $150.00 cash award is given annually for the best 395 research seminar final essay. This prize may be split and awarded to more than one student per year.

Alexander Rorke Award

This award is given for excellence in History service and scholarship. The prize of $100.00 and a book of the recipient's choice is given when deemed appropriate by the Department.

Jock McLane Prize

Awarded for the best undergraduate essay in Asian and Middle East Studies. This award is administered by the Weinberg College Program of Asian and Middle East Studies.