Department of Political Science || Awards & Scholarship

Awards and Scholarships

The Department offers a scholarship for outstanding majors, and several awards to mark achievement in different fields.

Academic Achievement Award. This is awarded annually to the graduating political science senior who has achieved the highest grade point average. To qualify, they must have taken at least 60 hours of coursework at IUPUI, and must have graduated either in the December preceding the award ceremony, or in the May or August after the ceremony. More than one award may be made. Decisions are made by the political science faculty as a whole.

Past winners:

1973: NA
1974: Helga Wehner
1975: Michael Poston
1976: Fred Biesecker
1977: James Buehler
1978: Bruce Farlow
1979: Sandra Owen
1980: Michael Rees
1981: NA
1982: Jau Nae Hanger
1983: Gloria Allen and Anne Fowler
1984: Barbara Bates and Janna Shisler
1985: John Dozier, Michael Ebert and Jody White
1986: Yukari Murai
1987: Greg Batchelor
1988: Linda Perdue
1989: James Gasaway
1990: Ronald Brooks
1991: Donald Hurst
1992: Therese Babb
1993: Rebecca Brandmaier
1994: Joseph Hend and Justin Hazlett
1995: Terry Rainey
1996: Alexa Woods
1997: Rachel McIntosh and Bruce Beal
1998: Angela Imel
1999: Amber Hair
2000: Nancy Friend
2001: Anne Bechdolt and Amy Colgan
2002: Cassidy Cohenour
2003: Aaron Randall
2004: Ruthilah Bodley Reed and Desiree Handley
2005: Jon Brown
2006: Robin Bandy
2007: Ward Salud and Dustin Butler
2008: Caridad Ax and Kalkidan Christian
2009: Robyn Johnson

Outstanding Intern Award. This is awarded annually to a student (major or non-major) who has worked as an intern, and has demonstrated superior academic accomplishment, diligent service to the intern agency, and promise in career plans. Decisions are made by the political science faculty as a whole.

Past winners:

1984: Wayne Crane
1985: Kathleen Dougherty and Darrick Smith
1986: Margaret Carvin
1987: Linda Perdue
1988: Michael Ryan and James Blankenbaker
1989: Mona Soueid
1990: Timothy Lane
1991: Annette Sexson
1992: Sang Lee
1993: Gloria Ho
1994: NA
1995: Rachel McIntosh
1996: Julie Schnell
1997: Angela DeMauro
1998: Lacy Arthur
1999: Christopher Banks
2000: Monica Allen
2001: Angela Dorrell
2002: Shane Corbin
2003: Stefanie Anderson
2004: Jayson Cooley
2005: Yusuf Young
2006: NA
2007: Breanne Foster
2008: NA
2009: NA

Powell Award. This is awarded annually to support the attendance of political science majors at conferences, or to help with the costs of research projects. Awards are determined by a panel of faculty members.

Past winners:

2003: Tom Schlatter
2004: NA
2005: Jon Brown
2006: NA
2007: NA
2008: NA
2009: NA

Survey Research Award. This is awarded annually to the liberal arts major who has made the biggest contribution to survey research during the year. There may be one $2000 award or two $1000 awards. Nominees or applicants must meet one of the following sets of criteria:

They must have been enrolled in an internship, either with the Public Opinion Laboratory, or in a commercial survey research firm, and their work must be demonstrated by reference letters and a statement of accomplishment.
They must complete a paper on public opinion. This can be a paper written as part of a course, or written specifically for the prize. It should be submitted with the application, accompanied by a letter of endorsement from an IUPUI School of Liberal Arts faculty member.
They should have completed either Y205 or Y317, and show written evidence of achieving excellence in the course, and have the written recommendation of the instructor.

Completed applications should be sent to either Prof. Brian Vargus in Political Science, to James Wolf, Director of the Public Opinion Laboratory, or to Prof. Margie Fergsuon in Political Science, by the end of January each year.

Past winners:

2002: Cassidy Cohenour
2003: NA
2004: Erin Nave and Heather Kaufman
2005: Jamie Hampton
2006: NA
2007: Isabel Rodriguez
2008: Robyn Johnson
2009: NA

Robert V. Kirch Scholarship. This is awarded annually to outstanding political science juniors, and is designed to help them with their academic costs during their senior year. Named for the founding chairman of the Department, Prof. Robert Kirch, there will be one $1000 award or two $500 awards. Applications should be sent to Prof. Margaret Ferguson by mid-February each year. Decisions are made by a departmental committee.

Past winners:

1988: James Gasaway.
1989: Ronald Brooks
1990: Michael Mullin
1991: Terri Lynn Crews
1992: Terri Lynn Crews
1993: Darren Murphy
1994: Jason Eickman
1995: Michael Christie
1996: Rachel McIntosh
1997: Angela Imel
1998: Jasper Sumner.
1999: Nicole Harlan
2000: Anne Bechdolt
2001: Shane Corbin and Sarah Ziegler
2002: Aaron Randall and Shannon Robling
2003: Desiree Handley and Jacob Shively
2004: Evelyn Hovee, Jon Brown, and Indhu Raghavan
2005: Evelyn Hovee and Kirmille Welbon
2006: Ward Salud and Daniel Bradley
2007: Joe Walsh
2008: Zak George
2009: Eric Phillipe

Winslow Prize. This is awarded annually to the student who has written the best paper on the topic of political theory. Named in honor of former political science faculty member Charles Winslow, it requires the submission of a paper on the topic, which will be judged by a panel of faculty members. For more information contact Prof. .Johnny Goldfinger.