Departmental Awards

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. 

2023 Award Recipients

Cole Dubose                      Shaan Parikh                     Eva Scherrer

Hallie Hunt                         Jane Pultz                          Amishi Singh

Naomi Kuo                         Olivia Schafer                    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 $500.

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

Comparative Politics: Nick Protasiewicz - "Regulating the Gig Economy"

International Relations: Sarah Botti - "The Abu Sayyaf Group: An Analysis of Psychology, Strategy, Organization, Religion, and Media"

Henry R. Spencer Award for Outstanding Senior Honors Thesis in Political Science

2023 award Recipient

Bridget Seghy - "The Evolution of Presidential Clemency"