Prizes and Fellowships

Awards available through application in CASH (Open Oct. 1-Feb. 1, with applications and recommendation letters due by Feb. 1):

Horace C. Peterson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to an outstanding undergraduate History major at OU, preferably to a student who intends to go on with graduate studies in the field of history. The strongest candidates for the award will be those who have achieved senior status (90 hours and above) and an excellent academic record as history majors, as determined by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.

Stephanie Dahlem Pounds Endowed Scholarship
For an outstanding history major who must be a full-time student currently enrolled and with minimum 3.0 GPA. Must have a demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to candidates at the sophomore (30-59 hours) or junior level (60 to 89 hours) and who have performed well in either/both HIST2573 The History Sleuth or HIST3573 Colloquia courses in addition to compiling an excellent academic record as history majors overall. Freshmen (0-30 hours) and Seniors (90 hours and above) will, however, also be considered by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.

Elizabeth Garrett History Scholarship
Preference for this award is given to history majors who are juniors (60-89 hours) with a strong GPA (3.25 and above).  Students who have performed well in their HIST3573 Colloquia courses, producing excellent research papers, are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.

Donnell M. Owings Memorial Fellowship (paper submission required at the time of application)
This award is given in alternating years to a graduate and an undergraduate student of American history. The award at the graduate level is given to the student who publishes the best essay in a refereed journal in the previous two calendar years or who delivers the best conference paper during the same time frame. The award at the undergraduate level is given to the student who delivers the best conference paper during the two previous calendar years or for the best research paper in American history.

Eric R. England Scholars Award
The History Department prioritizes presenting this award to an undergraduate History Major in their junior or senior year (60-120 credit hours completed) with a minimum 3.6 GPA who has a distinguished record of academic achievement in the study of history. Students who have applied will be considered by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.

Ellen Buhite-Gallagher Prize in History
Awarded to a full-time student majoring in History with a 3.75 GPA or higher; students must be regularly enrolled at the University of Oklahoma during the period in which the application is made (taking at least 12 credit hours of college coursework) and must be planning to attend law school. Preference will be given to Seniors (completed at least 90 credit hours of college coursework). Applicants will be considered by the History Department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee.

Sidney Devere Brown Award in East Asian History
Awarded annually to full-time undergraduate History majors interested in the study of East Asian history. Priority will be given to applicants who intend to travel or study abroad in Asia, but any eligible student will be considered. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours of college coursework and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. A full-time History graduate student may be awarded if there is not an eligible undergraduate recipient. Applicants will be considered by the History Department’s Undergraduate Studies Committee.

David Levy Prize
This prize rewards excellence in writing in the US History Survey courses (HIST1483 and HIST1493).  The award is open to both history majors and non-history majors, of any class standing, and is awarded to students who produce a truly excellent paper as an assignment in the US History Survey courses.  The survey coordinator and instructors will nominate and choose excellent papers for the award.

The Norman Stillman Prize for Excellence in Judaic Studies
Awarded annually to an outstanding full-time undergraduate (taking at least 12 credit hours of college coursework) or graduate student scholar at the University of Oklahoma. Prospective winners are nominated by the Judaic Studies faculty and the awardees is selected by a Judaic Studies committee.

Alfred B. Sears Award
This award is offered annually to an undergraduate or graduate student or students who have excelled in the study of British history. Faculty teaching British history nominate students for consideration by the Undergraduate Studies Committee.

William H. Maehl Jr. Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to the best History Capstone or Colloquium papers (HIST4973 or HIST3573) written in the preceding Spring or Fall. Capstone and Colloquium instructors nominate students and provide copies of their papers for consideration from the Undergraduate Studies Committee. If the winning student agrees, the winning paper will be shared with the individual who has funded this prize.

Other funds for conference travel and research are available on a competitive basis from the Department of History, the Graduate College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate Student Senate.  Students should consult those offices or the Director of Graduate Studies for application information.