Undergraduate Student Awards

Awards and Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

In addition to the awards itemized below, a variety of other sources of financial aid that are available for undergraduate students at WMU can be found at these university web pages:

The Presidential Scholar Award is the most prestigious honor an undergraduate student can be awarded at WMU. It is awarded to a single graduating senior in each department every year. Presidential Scholars are recognized at a dinner hosted by the President of the University and the president of the Faculty Senate. Presidential Scholars are determined by the department faculty.

The Robert F. Maher Scholarship is awarded annually to one or more graduating seniors or graduate students in Anthropology who demonstrate outstanding ability and promise for the future. Winners of the award are determined by the faculty of the Anthropology Department. The awards are announced at an awards ceremony which takes place in April. The award was established in honor of Robert F. Maher who taught at the University for thirty years, and who was the founder and first chair of the Anthropology Department.

The Jennifer C. Wenger Memorial Study/Work Abroad Fund was established by the parents of Jennifer C. Wenger, a 1992 graduate of Western Michigan University who tragically died in an automobile accident later that year. The award may be used for study, travel, or work abroad during the academic year or during the summer. The award is open to any full time student, but preference will be given to a female recipient majoring first in anthropology or sociology with a focus on women's studies, or if there is no candidate in that category then someone with a major or minor in women's studies and any other academic discipline. If no candidate matches any of those criteria, a candidate with any academic major will be considered. An additional requirement of the award is that the recipient be employed part time as evidence of the commitment to assisting with the costs of the education experience at Western Michigan. This award is administered by the Office of International Affairs where further information can be obtained.

Western Michigan University