Political Science

Scholarships & Awards

The department announces the winners of its awards and scholarships at the honors luncheon in April or each year. With the exception of the Hurttgam prize, Shilling Junior and Senior awards, Gilmer scholarship and Ritchie prize, an application is required for all awards and scholarships (no student can win one of these scholarships without having completed the application process). The application includes an essay by the applicant and the names of three faculty references. Applications are dowloadable from this page. All application forms can be filled in, then printed. Completed applications and names of faculty references for most of the awards must be submitted by the February 27. The deadline for the Klein awards is March 14.

Yvonne Siferd, the 2006 Presidental Scholar in Political Science (with President Judi Bailey and Senate President Paul Pancella)

Tim Hurttgam Memorial Prize

The fund that supports this award was established in memory of Tim Hurttgam, a WMU political science major and campus activist from 2003 to 2007. Tim lost his life to cancer before having an opportunity to realize his goals and aspirations. He tried to make the world a better place by supporting a sustainable environment, peace and harmony throughout the world, equal rights, and a living wage. The award will be given to the student who best exemplifies these ideals. The faculty of the Political Science department will identify the award recipient. Nominations or suggestions may be directed to the department chair, Kevin Corder.

Donald Gilmer Endowed Scholarship

An annual award established by Donald Gilmer to recognize students who are pursuing careers in the public service. Each year the award will go a student participating in the Lansing Capital Intern program. No application is required. Contact Professor David Houghton for details about the Capital Intern Program.

Arden J. Elsasser Memorial Award

A scholarship established by the League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo area in memory of Arden J. Elsasser, who gave faithful service to this organization and contributed significantly to the Kalamazoo community. The award is given annually and is normally about $400. Application is open to undergraduate or graduate students in political science at Western. Graduate students may be nominated by faculty or self-nominated.

Undergraduate Application Form

D.C. Shilling Junior and Senior Awards

Annual awards presented to outstanding political science majors for excellence in scholarship and academic performance. The funds which support the scholarship were given by Mrs. Zoa D. Shilling in memory of her husband, D.C. Shilling, the first chair of the Political Science Department. The scholarship is divided into two awards: one for the distinguished graduating senior, and one for the outstanding junior. Declared majors will be considered without having to apply.

Application Form

Mark Denenfeld Memorial Endowed Scholarship

An annual award for a major beginning his/her senior year. The fund which supports this award was established in the memory of Mark Denenfeld, one of our best and most dynamic undergraduate majors. The award is made to a student who has demonstrated superior academic performance at Western and compiled a record of community service. The award is normally about $500. Students must apply for this award.

Application Form

George Klein Scholarship in Central and East European Studies

Klein Scholarship Fact Sheet

Undergraduate students (and in certain circumstances, graduate students) may apply for the George Klein Scholarship for Study Abroad in Central and East European Studies. The late Dr Klein was a long-time member of the faculty of the Department of Political Science and devoted his career to the study of the region. Application is open to majors in Political Science; preference will be given to students planning to enroll in a WMU Study Abroad program in the Czech Republic.
Deadline for spring semester: October 14
Deadline for summer and fall semesters: March 14

Application Form

The Peter Renstrom Prize

Given annually to a senior intending to attend law school upon graduation. The prize was established in 2006 to honor Dr Peter Renstrom, who joined the WMU faculty in 1969. He was an expert on constitutional law and U.S. elections, and taught courses on the American judicial process, criminal justice, civil liberties and civil rights and American politics. He was honored by the College of Arts and Sciences in 2002 for his role in preparing students in the Political Science Department's public law program for professional roles in government and the law.
Read about Peter Renstrom

Application Form

The William A. Ritchie Prize in Political Theory

Each academic year, a prize in political theory is awarded to an undergraduate or a graduate student who has written an excellent paper in the field. The prize was established to honor William A. Ritchie, who taught political theory and philosophy in the department from the 1960s until 2001. The political theory faculty in the department selects the recipient of the prize.

Stanley S. and Helenan S. Robin Scholarship

A scholarship of $500 established by WMU President Diether Haenicke at the time of their retirement from the Sociology and the Political Science Departments, respectively, to honor the major contributions the Robins had made to the University. The award is given annually to a senior majoring in political science on the basis of academic scholarship, disciplinary and professional accomplishment, assessed potential and commitment to the field of political science. Applicants must state their intention to pursue a graduate degree in political science.

Application Form

Zoa D. Shilling and D.C. Shilling Junior and Senior Awards

Annual awards presented to outstanding majors in political science and public administration. Declared majors will be considered without having to apply.

Zoa D. Shilling Scholarship for Foreign Study

An annual award available to a student who will be studying abroad. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and political science majors who have demonstrated academic excellence. The award will be up to $1000. Students must submit an application in the academic year before they plan to study abroad.

Application Form

Howard Wolpe Scholarship

An annual award available to a senior, U.S. citizen (and preferably a resident of Michigan) majoring in political science. Students must have demonstrated overall academic excellence at Western, especially in political science. The award is normally $1,000 and was established by Congressman Howard Wolpe who endowed a fund to support the study of politics.

Application Form

United Nations Association/Kalamazoo Chapter Scholarship

This award for academic excellence in the field of international and comparative politics has been established by the Kalamazoo Chapter of the United Nations Association. The scholarship is awarded to an exceptional undergraduate majoring in International and Comparative Politics. The award is made on the basis of the students' academic scholarship and disciplinary and professional accomplishment. Other factors that my be taken into consideration include participation in extracurricular activities (particularly those with an international focus), and participation a study abroad program. Preference given to students with junior status.

Application Form

Howard Wolpe Scholarship for African Study

An annual award given to a student engaging in the study of Africa or selected African nations. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and political science majors who have demonstrated academic excellence. The award will be up to $1000 and was established by Congressman Howard Wolpe who endowed a fund to support African study. Students must submit an application in the academic year before they plan travel to Africa.

Application Form

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