Scholarships & Prizes

Undergraduate Scholarships and Prizes

The Department of History at Wright State University offers several undergraduate awards and scholarships. The competitions for these are held in the spring semester, with the winner announced at the annual departmental reception and Phi Alpha Theta induction ceremony in the spring. For more information about the prizes please contact the departmental main office in 370 Millett Hall at 775-3110.

Best Paper Award

This award is given out annually for the best undergraduate term papers written on historical topics submitted for any course. Applicants need not submit the original graded paper but may submit a revised and improved version of that paper. The competition is held in the spring semester.

2013:   Melissa McLean

2009:   Mark Pulcifer (honorable mention: Owen Wolfe)

Award Application

Outstanding Student in History Scholarship

This competitive scholarship is given out annually. Applicants need to be a history major in good standing with a minimum grade point average of 3.3, with at least one full semester remaining before graduation. The application process consists of an application form, a 300 word essay addressing interests and goals, and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member. The competition is held in the spring semester.

2013:    Bethany Wages  

2011:    Joshowa Yost

2011:    Anthony Kremer

2009:    Juan Muñoz

2008:    Heide E. Gottschlich

Scholarship Application

Outstanding Graduating Senior

There is no need for nomination or application for this prize. The department selects annually the most accomplished graduating senior, ideally one who has completed a senior thesis, garnered substantial academic honors, or who has made manifest contributions to the department, university or community at large. Beginning in 2009, the recipient of this prize is honored by the donation of a book in his or her name to Dunbar Library and the notation of this in the library’s catalog (http://www.libraries.wright.edu/bookplates/history)

2013:    Eastman Klepper

2009:    Michael Duffield

2008:    Katharine Luebcke

2007:    Melissa Goldmeier

The Nezahualcóyotl Prize

Named after Ancient Mexico’s Emperor of Texcoco, a Lover of Knowledge, the Nezahualcóyotl Prize recognizes students who excel in undergraduate courses in Latin American History. The single annual award is for $1000, as selected by the Department’s Student Relations Committee. Undergraduate students who earn an “A” in an advanced class on Latin America in the previous year are automatic candidates for consideration, though only one Prize is given. The recipient is traditionally honored at the Department’s annual reception and Phi Alpha Theta induction in the spring semester.

In Memory of Carl Becker

The Scholarship in Memory of Carl Becker honors a long-time member of the Department of History.  Dr Becker taught at Wright State University for almost 26 years, beginning in 1964, when WSU opened as a branch campus of Ohio State University and Miami University.  Dr. Becker published works on both World Wars as well as on Ohio history and was a key contributor to the WSU Honors Program and Public History Program.

The Scholarship in Memory of Carl Becker is awarded annually.  Applicants must be history majors in good standing, with a demonstrated interest in public history, a minimum 3.3 grade point average, and at least one semester remaining before graduation.  Applicants submit an application form, a 300-word essay that describes as fully as possible their interests and their goals as public historians, and a letter of recommendation from a member of the history department faculty.  

2013:    Joseph Bradley-Hutchison

Carl Becker Scholarship Application

F. Richard Swann

The F. Richard Swann Scholarship was endowed by Samuel and Lynne Dodson in honor of Dr Swann, who was a member of the Department of History from the earliest years of Wright State University and later assistant provost.  Applicants must be undergraduate history majors in good standing with at least one semester remaining before graduation.  Applicants submit an essay written for any undergraduate history course, of a length between 7 and 20 pages.  The paper may have been revised..  Reflecting Dr. Swann's specialization in British history, preference is given to papers written on aspects of Britain or the British empire.

2013:    Joseph Bradley-Hutchison

F. Richard Swann Scholarship Application