Awards

Shirley A. Bill joined our faculty in 1947, when the University was still located at Navy Pier. One of Professor Bill’s undergraduate students has endowed a teaching award in her name to honor her memory and achievement. The wishes of the donor are that the award be given each year to a faculty member chosen by vote of faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate history majors.

• 2024 – Jonathan Connolly
• 2023 – John Abbott
• 2022 – Elizabeth Todd-Breland
• 2021 – Julie Peters & Jeff Schuhrke
• 2020 – History Department Faculty for responsive pandemic teaching
• 2019 – Keely Stauter-Halsted
• 2018 – Lynn Hudson
• 2017 – Jeffrey Sklansky
• 2016 – John Abbott & Robert Johnston
• 2015 – Elizabeth Todd Breland
• 2014 – Julie Peters
• 2013 – Chris Boyer & Kevin Schultz
• 2012 – Corey Capers
• 2011 – Robert Johnston
• 2010 – Perry Duis
• 2009 – Richard Levy
• 2008 – Jonathan Daly
• 2007 – James Sack
• 2006 – Peter D’Agostino
• 2005 – Katrin Schultheiss
• 2004 – Richard Fried
• 2003 – James Cracraft
• 2002 – Greg Anderson
• 2001 – John Kulczycki
• 2000 – William Hoisington
• 1999 – Richard Levy
• 1998 – David Jordan
• 1997 – Robert Messer
• 1996 – James Cracraft
• 1995 – Marion Miller
• 1994 – Leo Schelbert
• 1993 – James Sack
• 1992 – Steve Fanning
• 1991 – Marion Miller
• 1990 – Leo Schelbert
• 1989 – David Jordan
• 1988 – James Cracraft
• 1987 – Steve Fanning
• 1986 – Marion Miller
• 1985 – Leo Schelber

An annual award for graduate study with preference given to those whose research concentration is in the areas of religious, immigration or transnational history. (Approximately $1,100)G

• 2023-2024 – Katie Brizek
• 2022-2023 – Kimberley Beaudreau
• 2020-2021 – Sohini Majumdar
• 2014-2015 – Jeff Nichols
• 2013-2014 – Tom Alter

An annual award for Ph.D. candidates who plan research in Europe.  Open to those in Modern European History with preference to those students in British history.  The award is to be used to enable the awardee to take advantage of cultural opportunities while abroad. This award does not carry a tuition and fee waiver. (Approximately $1,000)

Recipients:

• 2023-2024- Aleksandr Turbin
• 2022-2023 – Anindita Ghosh
• 2020-2021 – Ajapa Sharma
• 2014-2015 – Alison Orton
• 2013-2014 – Melissa Hibbard
• 2012-2013 – Peter Strickland
• 2011-2012 – Jenna Nigro
• 2010-2011 – Jenna Nigro
• 2009-2010 – Michael Goode
• 2008-2009 – Mark Podlesniak
• 2006-2007 – Mark Bullock

An annual award to Ph.D. candidates in American history who are researching and/or writing a dissertation in that field. This award does not carry a tuition and fee waiver. (Approximately $4,250)

Recipients:

• 2023-2024 – Joe Parziale
• 2022-2023 – Joshua Hoxmeier
• 2020-2021 – Dylan Shearer
• 2015-2016 – Tyler Miller
• 2014-2015 –  Nick McCormick
• 2013-2014 – Alison Orton
• 2012-2013 – Tom Alter
• 2011-2012 – Cory Davis
• 2010-2011 – Tom Dorrance
• 2009-2010 – Adreienne Phelps Coco
• 2008-2009 – Dan Harper
• 2007-2008 – Emily LaBarbera-Twarog
• 2006-2007 – Elizabeth Collins
• 2005-2006 – Katie Batza
• 2004-2005 – Sarah Goldberger
• 2003-2004 – David Veenstra
• 2002-2003 – Pamela Baker
• 2001-2002 – Justin Coffey

An annual award for Ph.D. candidates whose dissertation is in the field of European, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern history (includes continental Europe, Great Britain, Russian and North Africa). The award is to defray research and travel expenses.  This award does not carry a tuition and fee waiver. (Approximately $2,000)

Recipients:

• 2023-2024- Aleksei Epishev
• 2020-2021 – Ismael Biyashev
• 2015-2016 – Manamee Guha
• 2014-2015 –  Peter Strickland
• 2013-2014 – Erin Crawley
• 2012-2013 – Peter Strickland
• 2011-2012 – Jenna Nigro
• 2010-2011 – Jenna Nigro
• 2009-2010 – Michael Goode
• 2008-2009 – Corrine Louw
• 2007-2008  Mark Podlesniak

An annual award to a graduate student in any field who has completed at least one course in Polish history.  The award requires that the student do an appropriate amount of research in Polish history during the term of the award. This award carries a tuition and fee waiver. (Approximately $5,000) This Award may not be awarded every year. 

Recipients:

• 2022-2023 – Frankee Lyons
• 2021-2022 – Joanna Dobrowolska
• 2016-2017 – Melissa Hibbard
• 2014-2015 – Melissa Hibbard
• 2013-2014 – Michal Wilczewski
• 2012-2013 – Michal Kwiecien
• 2011-2012 – Melissa Hibbard
• 2009-2010 – Pawel Szurley
• 2008-2009 – Pawel Szurley
• 2007-2008 – Michal Kwiecien

An annual award to a graduate student or undergraduate majoring in history who has taken or is taking course work related to the History of Poland and has at least a 3.0 grade point average. This scholarship carries a tuition and fee waiver. (Approximately $13,000) This award may not be awarded every year. 

Recipients:

• 2024-2025 – Joanna Dobrowolska
• 2022-2023 – Joanna Dobrowolska
• 2021-2022 – Frankee Lyons
• 2016-2017 – Michal Wilczewski
• 2014-2015 – Michal Wilczewski
• 2012-2013 – Michal Kwiecien
• 2011-2012 – Michal Wilczewski
• 2010-2011 – Michal Kwiecien
• 2009-2010 – Michal Kwiecien
• 2008-2009 – Michal Kwiecien
• 2007-2008 – Pawel Styrna
• 2006-2007 – Renee DeBock
• 2005-2006 – Renee DeBock

An annual award given to a graduate student of Polish history. This award does not carry a tuition and fee waiver. (Approximately $1,500)

Recipients:

• 2023-2024- Joanna Dobrowolska
• 2020-2021 – Frankee Lyons
• 2014-2015 – Michal Wilczewski
• 2012-2013  – Michal Kwiecien
• 2011-2012 – Melissa Hibbard
• 2009-2010 – Pawel Szurley
• 2008-2009 – Michal Kwiecien
• 2007-2008 – Michal Kwiecien

Two annual dissertation fellowships open to Ph.D. candidates in all fields to be used for either research and/or writing of the dissertation. While all Ph.D. candidates are encouraged to apply, in recent years the preference has been given to applicants who are in the last stages of dissertation completion.

• 2024-25 -Avash Bhandari and Sarah Barton
• 2023-24 – Elizabeth Maher and Dylan Shearer
• 2022-23 – Joshua Hoxmeier and Sohini Majumdar
• 2021-22 – Carl Ewald and Marla McMackin
• 2020-21 – Jeff Schuhrke and Nicholas Gordon Llinas

An award is given annually to recognize the best UIC History dissertation completed during that time period. (Approximately $1,000)

Recipients:

• 2023-2024- Ismael Biyashev
• 2022-2023 – Noah Glaser

An award given to a Ph.D candidate in any field who has demonstrated exceptional interest and skill in teaching. When applying, please include a brief (1-2 page) statement on your teaching philosophy and accomplishments.

Recipients:

• 2023-2024- Sarah Barton
• 2022-2023 – Dylan Shearer
• 2020-2021 – Elizabeth Maher
• 2015-2016 – Erin Crawley
• 2014-2015 – Erik Kalweit
• 2013-2014 – Maria Ritzema
• 2012-2013 – Thomas Dorrance
• 2011-2012 – Wayne Ratzlaff
• 2010-2011 – Gwen Langley-Rivers
• 2009-2010 – Dan Harper
• 2008-2009 – Joseph Lipari
• 2006-2007 – Bill Malone
• 2006-2007 – Rebecca Morrow-Nye
• 2004-2006 – Cheryl R. Ganz
• 2002-2004 – Eva Becsei Kilborn
• 1999-2002 – John Abbott
• 1996-1999 – John L. Glover
• 1993-1996 – Mary Todd
• 1993-1996 – Honorable Mention: Michael Doorley
• 1990-1993 – Neal McCrillis
• 1990-1993 – Honorable Mention:  Michaela Tomaschewsky

Awards $5,000 to a History graduate student who has secured a summer internship and who has applied for but not won a Provost’s Graduate Internship Award (PGIA).  Because the Provost’s Award is routed through the DGS’s office, all who apply for the PGIA will be automatically considered for the History Graduate Summer Internship Award.  The GAC will determine a winner each year.

Recipients:

• 2023- Katie Brizek
• 2022 – Anindita Ghosh
• 2021 – Marla McMackin

The Richard S. Levy Undergraduate Research Award, given for the best paper written in the Department of History’s most advanced undergraduate research seminar (currently HIST 440) in an academic year.  Special but not sole attention will be paid to papers in the areas of Prof. Levy’s research, namely the history of antisemitism and the Holocaust; and in the histories of discrimination, persecution, and minoritized populations more broadly. Selection is made through a process of faculty nomination and a vote of the prize committee. Beyond the distinction of the award itself, the award furnishes $400 to the winner and $250 to the runner up.

Recipients:

• 2022-2023 – Winner – Daniel Pellecer Runner Up – Matt Schlifke

The Richard S. Levy Pathway to History Award honors the late Professor Levy’s commitment to undergraduate history education by encouraging students to consider a future in history. The award recognizes the best freshman or sophomore student in each of the Department of History’s large classes, currently defined as a course capped at larger than 60 students. Winners are selected by the instructor of record for each class in consultation with the teaching assistants. Beyond the distinction of the award itself, winners receive $100.

Recipients:

• Fall 2023: June Chow, Katherine Dahl, Roan Lester, Caleb Price, Wiktor Kurzawa
• Spring 2023: Abla Abdelkader, Fahmida Haque, Isaiah Hernandez, Molly Courtois
• Fall 2022: Jessica Linford, Caleb Shade, Salar Baloch, Garrett Karpman, Lucille Lindsey, Angela Ionescu

The David Stahl and Karol Weigelt Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a History or Teaching of History major demonstrating financial need.  Underrepresented minorities and students of color are strongly encouraged to apply.   Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate academic ability and/or achievement.  Students may submit a sample of their academic work of no more than five pages.  Students may also supply a letter of support from an instructor within the Department.  Neither is required. Graduating seniors are ineligible to apply.  The annual award is $750.  Fill out the following form to apply.

Recipients:

• 2022-2023 -Lucero Rojas-Torres

The Davee Scholarship provides full cost of attendance at UIC from entry through graduation for up to five years.  Recipients must enter UIC with, and maintain, at least a 3.0 GPA.  It is given to a student majoring in History (usually an incoming freshman).  One award is typically given each year.  Students need not apply for this award.  All eligible applicants will be considered by the award committee.

Recipients:

• 2022-2023 –

The Gordon Lee Goodman Award for Distinction in Undergraduate Studies was endowed by friends and relatives of the late Gordon L. Goodman, associate professor of British History at UIC.  It is given annually, by vote of the history faculty, to the student (or, on occasion, students), near senior standing, who most demonstrates excellent scholarship.

Recipients:

• 2023- -Noe Gallegos
• 2022 – Cheyenne Otto
• 2021 – Sophia Escobar
• 2017 – Courtney Borjas
• 2016 – Maria Folverska
• 2015 – Dustin Cohan
• 2010 – Marissa Ackerman
• 2009 – Somaiyya Ahmad
• 2008 – Stacy Kim
• 2006 – John Mesce and Amy Harth
• 2005 – Lesley Skousen-Chio
• 2003 – Shawn Clybor
• 2002 – Jennifer Moses
• 2001 – Linda Burns

The Deirdre N. McCloskey Prize recognizes the top two papers written by a History major in History 300. Selection is made through a process of faculty nomination and vote of the prize committee. Beyond the distinction of the award itself, the award furnishes $250 to the winner, and $150 to the runner up.

• 2022-2023 – Winner: Martin Reyes, Runner-up – Bernadette Pitt-Payne
• 2021-2022 – Winner: Becca Gleason, Runner-up: Sofia Noonan

The UIC Cheryl Ganz Undergraduate Student Award, endowed by Cheryl Ganz, is meant to help finance research for undergraduate history projects. It is currently administered through the LAS Undergraduate Research Initiative.

Recipients:

• 2022-2023

The Lillian Edinger Fund provides a scholarship for undergraduates  pursuing a B.A. in history at UIC.  The winner is decided by the history faculty in coordination with the Dean of LAS.

Recipients:

• 2023- Krystian Kuprowski
• 2022 – Ayanna Sloan
• 2021 – Abdul Basith Basheer
• 2017 – Lorenzo Aranda
• 2016 – Carolina Parra
• 2015 – Julia Bromberg
• 2010 – Fatimah Murad
• 2009 – Sussan Navabi
• 2008 – Christopher Holmes

This award of up to $1,500 is given each spring when funds are available to students studying Polish history.  To qualify, a student must (1) have received an A or a B in a Polish history course (most usually HIST 234, HIST 235, or HIST 433, although exceptions will be considered); and (2) write a 250-word essay describing their engagement with Polish history most especially emphasizing their academic work rather than their personal history.  Inquiries should be sent to the DUS.  The availability of the award shall be determined at the beginning of each spring semester.

Recipients: