AWARDS

About the Awards

Each year, the political science department recognizes excellence among our undergraduate student body with awards that are presented at the departmental commencement breakfast. Each award is endowed by different benefactors for different purposes, described below.

The application deadline is March 31. All application materials from eligible students should be submitted to the attention of "Political Science Awards" and forwarded to:

Prof. Michael Goodhart
Department of Political Science
4600 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

 

Morris S. and Eleanor S. Ogul Award

Professor Morris Ogul was committed to promoting the study of American Politics at the University of Pittsburgh. His life and career left an enduring legacy on our Department to which many generations of Pitt students who studied with him can attest, especially in the area of undergraduate teaching of this field of the discipline.

He endowed the Department with a fund to recognize excellence in the undergraduate study of American Politics. With that in mind, and as a continuing tribute to his career and to his wife’s service to the University of Pittsburgh community, the Department is proud to announce the Morris S. and Eleanor S. Ogul Award, a cash prize of $3,000.00 to the outstanding senior undergraduate Political Science major who emphasizes the study of United States Government and Politics.  The sole criterion for selection is outstanding academic achievement.

Eligibility

Students who have completed three or more upper division undergraduate American Politics courses (at the PS 1200-level) and who are graduating in the 2010-11 academic year (Dec. 2010 or April or August 2011) are eligible for consideration.  Candidates who wish to be considered must submit:

• a letter of application detailing their suitability for the award;
• a resume or curriculum vitae; and
• official or unofficial transcript(s) from the University of Pittsburgh and official transcripts from any other institutions attended at which courses in the field of American Politics were completed.

John P. Bracken Undergraduate Political Science Awards

A generous endowment from Mr. John P. Bracken provides cash prizes of $2,000.00 for outstanding junior and senior political science students.   This award recognizes academic achievement and a commitment to political or public service.

Eligibility

For Juniors: Overall GPA of 3.0 or better, Political Science Major, demonstrated campus leadership, and a developing and responsible interest in political or public service. Application form for Juniors

For Seniors: Overall GPA of 3.5 or better, Political Science Major graduating in April, must have successfully completed University Honors College Courses. Application form for Seniors

To apply, download the application form by following the links above.

Gary J. Rathburn Undergraduate International Research Award

The purpose of this award, generously funded through an endowment established by Gary J. Rathburn, is to support undergraduate research in the Department of Political Science, with a preference for research that is international in scope. Each year the Department will award 1-3 grants, up to $3,000.00, depending on the number and quality of applications received and the amounts requested.

Eligibility

Any student who is a Political Science major, who is taking PS courses, or who is researching a PS topic may apply for funding in support of a research project. Applicants should submit:

• resume or curriculum vitae;
• official or unofficial transcript;
• a 1-2 page statement describing the research project and its significance in the student’s intellectual development;
• a simple budget explaining how the award money will be used; and
• a letter of support from the sponsoring faculty member.

   

  Horace Umberger Award for Outstanding Political Science Major
  

A legacy left by Mr. Horace Umberger to enhance undergraduate education allows the Department to offer a cash prize of $1,000.00 annually to the Outstanding Political Science major.

Eligibility

Any Political Science major graduating in the current academic year (no later than Spring) is eligible to apply. Other requirements include: a minimum 3.5 overall GPA and a minimum 3.7 PoliSci GPA. In addition, applicants should provide:

• an official or unofficial transcript;
• a resume or curriculum vitae indicating any publications, presentations, research, awards, or other relevant evidence of academic achievement in the discipline;
• names of two Political Science faculty willing to serve as references (no letters necessary at this stage); and
• a one-page statement indicating why the student should be chosen "outstanding Political Science major." The statement may be single spaced but may not exceed one page.

Awards for Academic Year 2009-2010

The undergraduate awards for the 2009-2010 academic year were announced on Sunday, 2 May 2010 at the commencement breakfast for graduating seniors. The department congratulates the following students for their outstanding achievements in and contributions to the study of political science this past academic year:

Other Awards, Internships, and Fellowships

These opportunities might be of interest to Political Science majors. Please consult the relevant web pages for more information.

Anthony and Concetta Ambrosio Internship Award

Pitt alumnus and CBS Corporation executive Anthony Ambrosio and his wife Concetta have endowed a summer internship at the CBS headquarters in New York City for a talented Pitt undergraduate student. The internship is unpaid, but the recipient will receive academic credit and a $5000 stipend to cover living expenses.

Eligibility

Students who are majoring in Political Science, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, Film Studies, or History are eligible to compete for this internship. In addition, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must have completed a previous internship experience (either credit or pay-based internships are acceptable).

Applications are due in the Office of Experiential Learning in December. For more details, interested students should attend an Ambrosio Award Information Session. More details are available here.

Institute of Politics Internship

Through the Institute of Politics Internship Program, undergraduate students are placed with elected officials in the Pittsburgh area at the local, state, and federal levels. Students earn four credits for their work in an elected official's office and their weekly seminar. Since 1990, nearly 300 undergraduates have benefited from this unique educational experience. For more information see the Institute’s web page.

Humanity in Action Summer Fellowship Program

The organization "Humanity in Action" sponsors a Summer Fellowship programs on tolerance and democracy. The American program is held in New York and the European programs are held in Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, and Warsaw. Students are encouraged to look into the program.

The HIA Fellowship brings together university students from the United States and Europe for a rigorous, interdisciplinary inquiry into human rights, diversity, and minority issues. Students participate in the five-week fellowship in one of six different countries: Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, or the United States. Upon completing the fellowship, Fellows join an active international network of young professionals and are eligible for internship opportunities at the United States Congress, European Parliament, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and other civic and political institutions.

HIA will select 56 matriculated sophomores, juniors, and seniors from American colleges and universities to participate in these five-week programs. Recent university graduates are also eligible to apply. For more information, visit the organization website at humanityinaction.org, where you can also download application materials.