|
Please find in this page information on the scholarships and awards administered by the History Department. The deadline is February 17, 2010. Check this page frequently as details on awards and deadlines may change. The information is structured in four sections:
link to application forms, characteristics and requisites, frequently asked questions, and list of past winners.
Application Forms
Applications are due by the deadline at the office of the History Department's secretary. Download the application form by clicking on this link.
Characteristics of the Awards and Scholarships
John Schwarz Essay Award
Grants $100 to an undergraduate student who:
- Is a rising sophomore or junior (check FAQ section below)
- Submits an excellent history research paper
Donna M. Nieman Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence in History
Grants up to $500 to an undergraduate student who:
- Submits an excellent history research paper based on primary sources
- Completes an interview with the faculty award selection committee
- Agrees to present her/his work in a public forum sponsored by the department
Note: The Donna M. Nieman Award may not be awarded in years in which the department receives fewer than ten applications.
Jo Enger Arthur Scholarship for Study Abroad
Awards up to $1000 to an undergraduate student who:
- Is a rising junior or senior (check FAQ section below) majoring or minoring in History, Integrated Social Studies, International
Studies, or a European language
- Has normally completed at least 12 credit hours of history courses
- Carries a GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Has been accepted into a structured study-abroad program in Europe. (Preference will be given to students bound for the United
Kingdom.)
- Agrees to submit a brief report of his/her study abroad experience
Stuart R. and Florence P. Givens Senior History Scholarship
Awards up to $1000 to a rising senior who:
- Is a History Major
- Carries a GPA of 3.2 or higher
- Has been active in University-related activities, with preference given to applicants who have also engaged in professional
or community service
Grover Platt Memorial Scholarship
Awards up to $600 to a rising senior who:
- Is a History Major
- Carries a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Demonstrates financial need or will be the first member of his/her immediate family to graduate from college
Mary Ellen Keil Scholarship
Granted to an incoming Ohio-native female student who declared an interest in pursuing studies in history. All eligible candidates
are automatically referred to the department by the enrollment office. There is no application for this scholarship. The department
typically evaluates this grant during the summer.
Outstanding Senior Award
All eligible candidates are automatically considered by the Awards subcommittee. No application is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does "rising" junior or senior status mean?
A. It means 60 and 90 credit hours by the end of the last term for junior and seniors, respectively.
Q. Do I need to be nominated by a faculty member?
A. No. Faculty members distribute information. But it is the student’s responsibility to apply for the grant.
Q. What exactly comprises a good reference? May I list History professors with which I have had particularly successful experiences?
A. History professors are good references. But you may also want to have more varied references, such as other professors,
or people you work with. For example, for the Givens it would be good to have the reference of someone who can speak of your
engagement in community/public activities. If you are applying for the Jo Arthur, it would be good to have the reference of
a professor in the department that manages the study abroad program.
Q. Is the paper [for the Nieman or Schwarz scholarships] only limited to primary substances? Can there be secondary sources
used within the paper serving as support if much of the paper is from primary source documents?
A. Although they are not mentioned in the requirements, use of secondary sources is encouraged: a good history paper engages
with previous research on the topic done by other historians.
Q. Is there a minimum page requirement?
A. No. As long as it is based on primary sources, your paper qualifies for the award.
Q. What does financial need mean in the Platt scholarship?
A. It is broadly defined. If this award releases you from work, or relieves you from taking loans, you qualify.
Q. I'm a senior graduating this May, am I still eligible for an award?
A. Yes, you're eligible for the Nieman award.
Q. Do you have any advice on preparing a good application?
A. All awards are competitive. To make your application stand out, work on your statements and polish the paper you're submitting.
Remember, this is history. And in history we value good, persuasive writing. And by persuasive we mean that the statement
articulates a position (e.g. why you deserve this grant) in a rational, coherent way that convinces the reader that the writer's
point is superior to any alternative.
If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to send them to Tina Amos (tamos@bgsu.edu) and we will post the answers
in this page. Thanks!
Award Winners for 2009
John Schwarz Essay Award
Chad Warner
Stuart R. and Florence P. Givens Scholarship
Jacob Smith
Grover Platt Memorial Scholarship
Justin Payne
Donna M. Nieman Award for Undergraduate Research Excellence in History
Not awarded.
Jo Enger Arthur Scholarship for Study Abroad
Kathryn Gehred
Mary Ellen Keil Scholarship
Joan Eardley & Ariel Ehmer
Outstanding Senior Award
Maryellen Jacks
(Honorable Mentions: Candace Allen & Elyssa Northey)
Best Undergraduate Research Paper
Stephanie Gaskill & Elyssa Northey
|
