History Scholarship Opportunities

Wortman Scholarship

Program Description

The generosity of Marlene Stein Wortman ’58 has made it possible for undergraduate History Majors to apply for funding to help defray research-related expenses, whether for their senior research seminars (HST 401), freshman and sophomore research seminars (HST 201), or Distinction Theses in History (HST 495/496).  Funding might be sought, for example, to help pay the costs of travel to libraries or archives, or to help with the acquisition of documents.  Applications (of approximately one page in length, plus bibliography) should be submitted to the History Department Undergraduate Committee, which will determine which projects to fund.  Proposals should be carefully prepared (and justified with a budget), and should explain why the funding is essential to the proposed project.  Students who receive funding and who also receive grades of A or A- on their final papers, will carry the title “Wortman Scholar” at graduation.  Funding amounts will vary depending on the number and quality of applications received, but only in rare cases will grants of larger than $500 be made.

Application forms can be picked up in the History Department Office. After completing the form, attach your 500-word proposal, and bring the application materials to your faculty advisor for approval.  Once the application form has been initialed on the front page by your faculty advisor, please deliver your application and proposal to: The Department of History, 145 Eggers Hall

“I am truly pleased that my donation to an undergraduate research fund for history students has resonated so well with the department.  It was my research experience at Syracuse that inspired my lifelong dedication to history and led me to the idea of helping students who feel the same kind of passion.”     -Marlene Stein Wortman ‘58

Undergraduate Honors and Awards

The Bernice Hogan Prize

Awards $200 and a letter of commendation to that student among graduating history majors and minors who is deemed to have written the best paper in a History class. Students must be nominated by a member of the faculty.

Honors in History

Students who are contemplating graduate or professional school and those who have done well in their freshman and sophomore years are highly encouraged to seek honors in history. Candidates for honors must fulfill the requirements of the Renée Crown University Honors Program and complete a senior capstone project. A student may earn either three or six credits for the honors thesis and may complete it in place of the junior writing seminar (HST 401) requirement.

The Hotchkiss Prize

At the end of each spring semester, the Department of History gives awards for outstanding achievement in history. The Hotchkiss Prize, named after the late Professor William Park Hotchkiss, awards $200 and a letter of commendation to that student among graduating history majors who is deemed to have achieved the highest level of academic excellence in history. (Also eligible are students who graduated the preceding December or during the preceding summer.) The prize is funded from Professor Hotchkiss' legacy to the department.

The Ketcham Prize

Named after Professor Emeritus Ralph Ketcham, awards $200 and a letter of commendation to that student among graduating history majors who best combines academic excellence in history with contribution to the life of the department.

The Marquardt Prize 

The Department of History awards $400 to the student who is deemed to have written the best Distinction Thesis in History.  Named after Assistant Professor of History Emeritus Frederick D. Marquardt, this prize is chosen by members of the faculty.