History Scholarships and Writing at Eastern Illinois University

   

The History Department recognizes exemplary undergraduate and graduate student work with several awards. Some reward consistent high performance, others recognize distinction in research and writing or work on a topic or geographic region. Deadlines vary, so please follow the directions that accompany a specific award, or contact Dr. Mark Voss-Hubbard, Awards Committee Chair, for clarification.

Scholarships

The Awards Committee requests nominations from History faculty for students deserving the following scholarships & awards. Deadlines vary. Applicants should complete applications or solicit nominations to meet the published deadlines. The deadline for nominations for History Department awards marked with an asterisk* is the first Friday in March. For departmental awards, students should submit hard copies with their name, course number & course name on the title page ONLY to Dr. Mark Voss-Hubbard, Awards Chair. All decisions are announced at the Spring Awards Banquet.

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The deadline for all writing submissions is Monday, March 4th. 

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History Honors Banquet (27 April 2012)

award winners

Award Winners in 2012 (l to r): Justin Wardall, Mark Michaels, Dana Jarrard, Andrea Morgan, Ross Olson, Melissa Neely

 

award winners

Award Winners in 2012 (l to r): Samantha Sarich, Clare Smith, Kimberly Nohren

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2013 Winners

Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Errett and Mazie Warner Award* (first awarded in 1977): For an outstanding junior or senior history major.
    • Mark Michaels, Emily Scarbrough, Mark Stanford
  • Stephan M. Horak Award*(established in 1987 in memory of Dr. Stephan Horak, who taught in the EIU history department for 21 years from 1965 to 1986 and published numerous books and articles on Russia and Eastern Europe): for an outstanding senior history major with a concentration in European history and at least one course in Russian or Eastern European history.
    • Jenna Wells
  • Robert and Julie Sterling History Scholarship*(established in 1999 by Robert & Julie Sterling. Dr. Sterling taught in EIU's history department for 43 years (1956-1998), specializing in Civil War History. Julie likewise has provided dedicated service to EIU, working as an academic advisor for many years): For a junior or senior history major with teacher certification.  Graduating seniors are not eligible.
    • Andrea Morgan
  • William B. Reid History Education Scholarship*(established in 2001 by the family of William B. Reid, Jr. in recognition of his dedication to education. Mr. Reid taught for 35 years and received his high school, undergraduate, and graduate education at EIU): for a junior or senior history major with teacher certification.
    • Kyle Probst
  • Lawrence and Emily Nichols Memorial Scholarship*(established in memory of Lawrence Nichols, a member of the History Department's faculty from 1962 through 1994; first awarded in 2006): for a full-time EIU student exhibiting academic excellence with an interest in U.S. or Latin American history.
    • Taylor Yangas
  • Elisha and Estella Ziegler Baumgartner Scholarship*(established in 1991 through the estate of Elisha H. Baumgartner): for an outstanding sophomore history major.
    • Megan Kessler
  • Ardath Fogelsanger Scholarship* (established in 1974 by Ms. Edna Honaker in memory of her daughter Ardath Fogelsanger): for an upper division history major who, through activities in class and outside of the classroom, demonstrates a love for and dedication to the study of history.
    • Stephanie Templin
  • Jeanne and Donald Tingley Memorial Scholarship* (established in 2006 by the friends and family of Dr. Donald Tingley, who served on the EIU History Department faculty from 1953 to 1985, and his wife, Jeanne): for a full-time history major in good standing. Preference is given to first generation incoming freshman and/or transfer students.
    • Breeahnah Babers
  • Undergraduate Research Award (Administered through the Honors College; for an application, completed early during the semester before the research project starts, see: Grant Research Information): for any EIU student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The funding awards a student and their faculty mentor as they engage n research.
  • Livingston C. Lord Memorial Scholarship (EIU's highest scholastic award, established by the Alumni Association in memory of EIU's first president; nominations are made during the Fall semester and awards are made at Spring commencement): for fiver junior or senior students, nominated by faculty and staff who have stellar academic credentials and are pursuing teacher certification.
  • James Madison Memorial Fellowship (administered by James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation): a national competition that awards a maximum of $24,000 to individuals interested in becoming outstanding teachers of the American Constitution. The funding covers expenses related to graduate study leading to a masters degree. For information consult EIU's Madison Fellowship liason, Dr. Lynne Curry, and the Foundation website.

Undergraduate/Graduate Scholarships

  • Rex Syndergaard Scholarship*(in recognition of P. Rex Synderaard's service to the EIU History Department in which he taught from 1956-1980; first awarded in 1981): For an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in teaching.
    • Zach Samples, Jennifer Seiler
  • Wolfgang and Barbara Schlauch European History Scholarship*(extablished in 1999 by Wolfgang Schlauch, EIU's mondern German Hisotry professor for nearly 30 years, from 1969-1998, and his wife, Barbara, also a historian): for a history major (undergraduate or graduate) with an outstanding academic record and a concentration in modern European history.
    • Clare Smith
  • History Study Abroad Scholarship (first awarded Spring 2005; two awards up to $500 each): for EIU students (undergraduate or graduate) majoring in History and exhibiting a commitment to studying abroad through EIU.  Priority given to History undergraduate and graduate students who plan to participate in a study abroad program through EIU.  Students conducting research abroad may also apply. Application Deadline: last Friday in January. See Study Abroad Scholarship form.
    • Jenna Wells
  • Leften Stavrianos World History Award*(first awarded 2004): a one-year membership in the World History Association presented to one graduate student and one undergraduate student majoring in history and pursuing a career in teaching.
    • Blake Born (U), Aaron Psujek (G)

Graduate Scholarships

  • Charles H. and Dorothee Coleman Scholarship (established in memory of Charles H. Coleman who taught history at EIU from 1926 through 1961 and distinguished himself as a Lincoln Scholar; first awarded in 1973):For a distinguished graduate student majoring in history. Awarded at the beginning of the Fall semester; selected by the History Graduate Committee. Contact the History Graduate Coordinator for information
  • Historical Administration Program Association Scholarship: For a student with a distinguished undergraduate record entering the Historical Administration Program. Awarded at the beginning of the Fall semester, selection by the Historical Administration Graduate Committee. Contact the Historical Administration Graduate Program Coordinator for more information
  • Thesis Research Grant Award (first awarded Spring 2006): to suport graduate students whose thesis projects are of outstanding promise and quality. Contact the History Graudate Program Coordinator for information.
  • Graduate School Research/Creative Activity Awards (awarded by the EIU Graduate School): to support outstanding graduate research and creative activity projects that include partnerships wtih external businesses, industries, or educational agencies. For information and an application.
  • Williams Travel Award (awarded by the EIU Graduate School): to provide travel support for EIU graduate degree-seeking candidates who have papers or creative works accepted for presentation at regional, state, national, or international conference between July 1 and June 20 of current fiscal year. For information and an application.

 

Writing Awards

The History Department recognizes undergraduate and graduate student writing with several awards. Hard copies of papers for awards marked with double asterisk** must be submitted to Donna Nichols, Departmental Secretary, by noon on the last Friday in March unless otherwise specified. Winners are announced at the History Department's Spring Awards Banquet in April.

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Students should submit hard copies with their name, course number & course name on the title page ONLY to:

Donna Nichols, Secretary, History Department

Deadline: 12 PM on the first Friday in March

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Graduate Writing Awards

  • The Lavern M. Hamand Graduate Writing Award** ( Lavern Hamand taught in the EIU History Department from 1957 through 1982; first awarded in 1993): for the best paper by a graduate student in the Department of History enrolled in either the traditional or the historical administration program. (There are two competitions for this award - fall and spring.)
    • Katie Payne, “Marginalized Order: Apprentices and Crime in Early Modern England.” (Fall)
    • Noah Sangster, “The Legacy of Malcolm X.” (Spring)
  • EIU Distinguished Master's Thesis Award Competition and Midwest Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Thesis Nomination Recognition of the highest achievement in master's degree research based on projects. Second-place in the competition is awarded the The EIU Master's Thesis Award of Excellence. For more information, see the Graduate School competitive scholarships website.

Undergraduate Writing Awards

  • The Alexander Hamilton Paper Award in American History** (established in 1999 by Herb & Jane Lasky. Herb Lasky served the EIU History Department for nearly forty years (1966-2004), directed the EIU Honors program from its inception (1982-2004), and spearheaded the creation of EIU Honors College): for the best undergraduate paper on American history written for a course taught in EIU's history department.
  • The Anne Frank Award** (established in 1998 by Herb & Jane Lasky. Herb Lasky served the EIU History Department for nearly forty years (1966-2004), directed the EIU Honors program from its inception (1982-2004), and spearheaded the creation of the EIU Honors College): for the best undergraduate paper on the Holocaust written for a course taught by a member of EIU's history department.
    • Jennifer Seiler, "Britain Rescued the Perishing."
  • History Faculty Writing Award in World History**(established by the faculty of the EIU History Department in 2011): for the best paper in world history (excluding European and US history) written by an undergraduate for a course taught in EIU's history department.
    • Mark Michaels, "The Development of Kingship in the Ancient Near East."
  • Social Science Writing Awards (an award for which History undergraduates qualify: administered through the Dean's Office, College of Sciences): Regardless of major, students who write strong research papers in upper-division social sciences courses, including history, should consider submitting them for recognition and cash awards. Submissions are made directly to the chair of the History Department; selections are made by the Social Science Writing Awards Committee. For more information, visit this Social Science Writing Awards Website or check out this form.
  • Women's Studies Writing Award (an award for which History undergraduates qualify; administered through the Women's Studies Program) Regardless of major, EIU students can submit essays or research papers that incorporate a feminist perspective. The papers can be written during the previous academic year or semester concurrent with the competition. Deadline: First Monday in February with awards made during Women's Awareness Month; Contact Dr. Jeannie Ludlow, Coordinator, Women's Studies Program and consult the rules.