History Department
Undergraduate Honors, Awards and Clubs
Distinction Thesis in History
The distinction in history is for students who demonstrate outstanding academic accomplishment by successfully completing a senior thesis project, and by maintaining a 3.4 cumulative GPA through graduation. Juniors and seniors are eligible to participate.
The thesis is a substantial piece of research and writing carried out over two or more semesters. Such an accomplishment, distinguishing its author as an outstanding student, will provide an impressive credential for those applying to graduate school or law school. The experience of thesis research and writing will also serve as valuable preparation for graduate-level coursework.
Submit your essay to Syracuse University's undergraduate history journal.
Phi Alpha Theta (PAT)
With almost 1,000 chapters and 400,000 members, PAT is the international honor society for students of history. At Maxwell, it also functions as the History Club, organizing programs for the wider university community.
Congratulations to the 2021 Western/Central New York conference participants including Best Paper winner Katelyn Bajorek!
Undergraduate Honors and Awards
History majors have several opportunities to receive financial awards for their contributions to the History Department. You can also apply for funding support to help offset research costs. Current students should check with the department or on Answers for more information.
Bernice Hogan Prize
Awards $200 and a letter of commendation to a graduating history major or minor student 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
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 3 or 6 credits for the honors thesis and may complete it in place of the junior writing seminar (HST 401) requirement.
Hotchkiss Prize
Awarded for outstanding achievement in history. The Hotchkiss Prize, named after the late Professor William Park Hotchkiss, awards $200 and a letter of commendation.
Ketcham Prize
Named after Professor Emeritus Ralph Ketcham, awards $200 and a letter of commendation to a graduating history major who best combined academic excellence in history with contribution to the life of the department.
Marquardt Prize
The History Department 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.
Wortman Scholarship
History majors are able to apply for funding to help defray research-related expenses. Funding might be sought to help pay the costs of travel to libraries or archives, or to help with the acquisition of documents. This award has generously been provided by Marlene Stein Wortman ’58.