Francis R. Aumann Award for Distinguished Senior Achievement
The Francis R. Aumann Award is presented to the best all-around senior students in political science. This award was established by alumni, friends, and associates of Dr. Aumann, professor emeritus, as a way of rewarding scholastic excellence and promoting the academic goals of the department. The winners receive $500.
2023 Award Recipient
Shing-Tsz Lin
Lawrence J.R. Herson Award for Academic Excellence
The Herson Award recognizes those seniors who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence and are graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. The award is named in honor of one of our most distinguished emeritus faculty, Lawrence J.R. Herson, a long-time member of the department who served as Department Chair and went on to become Dean of the College. The winners receive $500.
2023 Award Recipients
Cole DuBose
Hallie Hunt
Naomi Kuo
Shaan Parikh
Jane Pultz
Olivia Schafer
Eva Scherrer
Amishi Singh
Danielle Wasshausen
William Jennings Bryan Prize for Best Paper in American Politics and Political Theory
This award was established by Mr. Bryan in 1898 and is given for the best papers written for a course in the field of American Politics and Political Theory. The winners receive $750.
2023 Award Recipients
American Politics—Erin Egan: “The Reduction of Gun Violence through the Reduction of Domestic Violence
Political Theory—Jack Williams: “Conditions for Liberty: Comparing Angela Davis and Friedrich Hayek’s Accounts of Freedom”
Jacobina Aman Award for Best Paper in Comparative Politics and International Relations
This award was established in 1959 with a bequest from Katherine A. Siebert in memory of her mother, Jacobina Aman, and is given for the best paper written for a course in the field of International Relations or Comparative Politics. The winners receive $500.
2023 Award Recipients
Sarah Botti: “The Abu Sayyaf Group: An Analysis of Psychology, Strategy, Organization, Religion, and Media”
Nick Protasiewicz: “Regulating the Gig Economy”
Henry R. Spencer Award for Outstanding Senior Honors Thesis in Political Science
Henry R. Spencer was the founding chair of the Department of Political Science in 1909. Henry R. Spencer served 38 years until he stepped down in 1947. The winner will be awarded $500 for outstanding senior thesis.
2023 Award Recipient
Bridget Seghy: “The Evolution of Presidential Clemency”