As the spring 2025 term ends, in addition to congratulating our graduating students, we also recognize the excellence of those who have earned departmental scholarships and awards. The department awards and scholarships are given to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in the History Department in a number of categories.

 

The J.C. Robinson Memorial Scholarship, given to students with outstanding academic records and an interest in Hispanic history and culture, was shared by Alysia Velez, Jesus Hernandez, and Omar Rodriguez, who have all done excellent work in their studies in the History department. For their stellar academic record, James Trueworthy and Nathan Alexander Camacho earned the Margaret McGann Tarter Award, which was established to recognize the academic excellence of students in a number of categories, including veterans, and students who value learning, art, and service. The Cheryl Riggs Endowed Student Award is generally given to a first-generation college attendee and/or adult re-entry student with an excellent academic record. Professor Riggs was herself a first-generation college attendee, and she returned to her education as a full-time re-entry student with children. This year, two outstanding Master of Arts students, Gustavo Alonso and Margaret Phillips, earned this award.

 

The Michael Persell Memorial Scholarship was established to recognize outstanding students with an interest in European history and studying history for its own sake, and this year it was given to Luke Devin Hunter in recognition of his academic excellence. The Robert Blackey award, given to excellent students with an interest in History education, was earned by Daniel Gutierrez and Alicia Suzanna Ramirez. The Schofield-McAfee award, named for Professors Ward McAfee and Kent Schofield, is given to students whose efforts have shown improvement over time and who are nominated by current History faculty based on their outstanding efforts and excellent academic work. This year, Celeste Martinez and Julian Olmos shared this honor.

 

These outstanding awardees are just a few of the many students who make our department shine brighter with their commitment to excellent scholarship and service.