Departmental Honors & Awards
The purpose of departmental honors is to reward students for exceptional achievement within their major. Students are nominated for departmental honors by the head of the department of their academic major. Three levels of departmental honors are awarded:
- Honors
- 3.6 GPA in the Major
- High Honors
- 3.7 GPA in the Major and either Comprehensive Examination OR Honors Thesis
- Highest Honors
- 3.8 GPA in the Major and Comprehensive Examination AND Honors Thesis
Honors Thesis
The thesis is a major research or creative project, usually (but not necessarily) in the field of the student’s major, and advised by a full-time faculty member. The project begins following approval of the thesis proposal, and the completed thesis is due on the Friday after spring break.
Comprehensive Examination
This exam is developed and administered by the department. It includes a written component. It also includes a component that is common to all students, and that tests their understanding of core knowledge in the discipline. The questions require synthesis of ideas and comprehensive reflection about a substantial portion of the student’s coursework in the department.
Departmental Awards
The purpose of departmental awards is to reward students for exceptional achievement within their major. Students are nominated for departmental awards by History, Anthropology & Classics Faculty.
Recognizes a student in the Department of History, Anthropology, & Classics for outstanding work in the ways that culture and place shape our lives.
- 2025 Recipient: Abby Retz
- 2024 Recipient: Ethan Coon
- 2023 Recipient: Rachel Sudbeck
- 2022 Recipient: Ericela Sahagun
Recognizes a History, Anthropology, or Classics student that has shown curiosity about thought and consciousness throughout time and space.
- 2025 Recipients: Yusef Alsatie
- 2024 Recipient: Riley Bradshaw
- 2023 Recipient: Kayla Miller
- 2022 Recipient: Emma Gifford
Recognizes a History, Anthropology, or Classics student who embodies our founding values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- 2025 Recipients: Breanna Wilson & Camron Tomaszewski
- 2024 Recipient: Anisa Cobb
- 2023 Recipient: Leah Ollie
- 2022: Recipient: Cam Ellison
Recognizes a History, Anthropology, or Classics first-year student for academic excellence and potential.
- 2025 Recipients: Bex DeMarco & Ginny Weykamp
- 2024 Recipient: Belinda Palaguachi-Ramirez
Recognizes students for their outstanding achievements in Anthropology.
- 2025 Recipient: Adam Barney
- 2024 Recipient: Taylor Klose
- 2023 Recipient: Rose Desrochers-Hawkins
- 2022 Recipient: Emma Thom
Given to students in Anthropology who have demonstrated excellence in original field research.
- 2025 Recipient: Eli(se) Davidson
- 2024 Recipient: Rachel Sudbeck
- 2023 Recipient: Caitlin McEvoy
Honors graduating student(s) in History with the top scholastic records.
- 2025 Recipients: Kate Howell, Adam Lammert, Carleigh Olive & Maya Sharon
- 2024 Recipients: Marissa Flannery, Pierce Greer & Kayla Miller
- 2023 Recipients: Renee Rogers, Andrew Steele & Lauren Jindrich
- 2022 Recipients: Karlye Sopczak & Sophia Estes
Recognizes students for intellectual excellence in the study of history .
- 2025 Recipients: Rachel Burner & Ben Plichta
- 2024 Recipients: Cassidy Paulk, Maya Sharon & Evan Wareham
- 2023 Recipient: Spencer Lewis
For excellence in the study of History.
- 2025 Recipient: Vivian Rodkey
- 2024 Recipient: Elijah Smith
- 2023 Recipient: Pierce Greer
- 2022 Recipient: Sami Slentz
Awarded to student(s) demonstrating high academic achievement in the study of History.
- 2025 Recipient: Hailey Dwyer
- 2024 Recipient: Cole Himmelheber
- 2023 Recipient: Abby Retz
- 2022 Recipient: Cole Eder
Awarded to students majoring in History and demonstrating superior performance overall, and particularly in the field of History.
- 2025 Recipients: Matt Parker & Keaton Smith
- 2024 Recipients: Rachel Burner & Carleigh Olive
- 2023 Recipients: Makenna Territo & Maya Sharon
- 2022 Recipients: Cassidy Paulk & Abby Retz
Recognizes an outstanding junior or senior majoring in the field of U.S. History.
- 2025 Recipient: Audrey Gebben
- 2024 Recipient: Emma Severson
- 2023 Recipient: Emma Gifford
- 2022 Recipient: Elly Fieffer
Recognizes one student in Anthropology and one student in Classics who demonstrate leadership abilities and appreciation for basic American values as evidenced by a record of achievement in service to the community and to the University.
- 2025 Recipients: Abby Ruble (Classics) & Elijah Smith (Anthropology)
- 2024 Recipients: Aidan Gregg (Classics) & Adam Barney (Anthropology)
- 2023 Recipients: Sophie Graham (Classics) & Abby Retz (Anthropology)
Recognizes a student who demonstrates intellectual excellence in Classics.
- 2025 Recipient: Sydney Akers
- 2024 Recipient: Via Sarjent
- 2023 Recipient: Cole Eder
- 2022 Recipient: Alex Brinkman