Undergraduate Scholarships
Â鶹´«Ã½'s Department of Political Science grants several scholarships each year to our best Â鶹´«Ã½s and announces the winners of its awards and scholarships at the honors luncheon in April of each year.
Scholarships Available for Undergraduate Students:
Application Required
- Kenneth Dahlberg Endowed Scholarship
- David Houghton Endowed Scholarship
- Arden J. Elsasser Memorial Award
- Howard Wolpe Scholarship
- Mark Denenfeld Memorial Endowed Scholarship
- Stanley S. and Helenan S. Robin Scholarship
- The Peter Renstrom Prize
- United Nations Association/Kalamazoo Chapter Scholarship
- George Klein Scholarship in Central and East European Studies
- Howard Wolpe Scholarship for African Study
- Zoa D. Shilling Scholarship for Foreign Study
- Iagnocco Family Study Abroad Scholarship
- The Kourdie-Elshafei Scholarship
No Application Required
- D.C. Shilling and Junior Awards
- Donald Gilmer Endowed Scholarship
- Tim Hurttgam Memorial Prize
- William A. Ritchie Prize in Political Theory
Application Required
The following scholarships require an application consisting of an essay by the applicant and the names of three faculty references.
Deadline: The deadline for all applications is March 1, with the exception of the spring applications for the David Houghton Endowed Scholarship and Z.D. Shilling Award, which are due Nov. 1.
Kenneth Dahlberg Endowed Scholarship
This award, intended for undergraduate and graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s of political science and environmental studies, was established in memory of Kenneth Dahlberg by his family and friends. A leading scholar in the fields of international relations and international environmental affairs, Professor Dahlberg served on the WMU faculty from 1966 until his retirement in 2001.
- This annual award is approximately $1,500.
- Students in the Political Science Department, the Climate Change Policy and Management Certificate Program, and the School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability are eligible to apply.
- Preference will be given to Â鶹´«Ã½s studying sustainable agricultural or food systems, climate change related impacts to the environment, environmental or climate policy, or other related fields; and Â鶹´«Ã½s with demonstrated financial need.
- Application is made through nomination by faculty or by self-nomination.
David Houghton Endowed Scholarship
The David Houghton Endowed Scholarship supports political science majors serving as interns in Washington, DC. Students must be enrolled in PSCI 3900 during the internship so that they can earn academic credit. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Contact the department to apply for the Houghton Scholarship or for more information about interning in Washington.
The spring semester deadline is Nov. 1 and the summer and fall semesters deadline is Mar. 1.
Arden J. Elsasser Memorial Award
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, this award is given annually to both a graduate and an undergraduate Â鶹´«Ã½.
The statement of purpose should describe your studies and your career plans or goals. In addition, discuss how your activities and reflect the values of community service characterized by Arden Elsasser.
Graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s may be nominated by faculty or self-nominated.
Howard Wolpe Scholarship
Established by Congressman Howard Wolpe to support the study of politics, this annual award is given to a Â鶹´«Ã½ who:
- Is a political science senior.
- Is a U.S. citizen (preferably a resident of Michigan).
- Demonstrates overall academic excellence at WMU, especially in political science.
- Eligibility and Criteria
Mark Denenfeld Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Apply for this annual award if you are a political science major beginning your senior year who can demonstrate superior academic performance at WMU and list a record of community service. The award was established in the memory of Mark Denenfeld, one of our best and most dynamic undergraduate majors.
Stanley S. and Helenan S. Robin Scholarship
This scholarship was established by WMU President Haenicke at the time of their retirements from the Departments of Sociology and Political Science, respectively, to honor the contributions the Robins 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.
- Eligibility and Criteria
The Peter Renstrom Prize
This prize was established in 2006 to honor Dr. Peter Renstrom, who taught in the department from 1969 to 2006. 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 Â鶹´«Ã½s in the department's public law program for professional roles in government and the law. This prize is given to a senior intending to attend law school upon graduation.
United Nations Association/Kalamazoo Chapter Scholarship
This award for academic excellence in the field of international and comparative politics was established by the Kalamazoo Chapter of the United Nations Association. The scholarship:
- Is awarded to an exceptional undergraduate majoring in international and comparative politics.
- Based on the Â鶹´«Ã½s' academic scholarship, disciplinary and professional accomplishment.
- Considers items such as participation in extracurricular activities (particularly those with an international focus) and participation in a study abroad program.
- Gives preference to Â鶹´«Ã½s with junior status.
- Eligibility and Criteria
George Klein Scholarship in Central and East European Studies
You may apply for this award if you are an undergraduate Â鶹´«Ã½ (or in certain circumstances, a graduate Â鶹´«Ã½). 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.
- Preference will be given to Â鶹´«Ã½s planning to enroll in a WMU study abroad program in the Czech Republic.
- Other eligible destinations include: Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
- Eligibility and Criteria
Howard Wolpe Scholarship for African Study
An annual award:
- Given to a graduate or undergraduate Â鶹´«Ã½ engaging in the study of Africa or selected African nations.
- Political science majors who have demonstrated academic excellence.
- Eligibility and Criteria
Zoa D. Shilling Scholarship for Foreign Study
This award is available to a political science Â鶹´«Ã½ who will be studying abroad. You are eligible to apply if you:
- Have a major or minor in political science.
- Have earned at least 42 credit hours toward an undergraduate degree.
- Have demonstrated academic excellence.
- Eligibility and Criteria
The spring semester deadline is Nov. 1 and the summer semester deadline is Mar. 1.
Iagnocco Family Study Abroad Scholarship
This award is available to a political science Â鶹´«Ã½ who will be studying abroad. You are eligible to apply if you:
- Have a major or minor in political science.
- Have earned at least 42 credit hours toward an undergraduate degree.
- Have demonstrated academic excellence.
- Eligibility and Criteria
The Kourdie-Elshafei Scholarship
No Application Required
D.C. Shilling Junior and Senior Awards
These awards were established by Mrs. Zoa D. Shilling in memory of her husband, D.C. Shilling, the first chair of the Department of Political Science. They are presented to outstanding junior and senior political science majors for excellence in scholarship and academic performance. No application necessary.
- Read about Dr. D.C. Shilling
Donald Gilmer Endowed Scholarship
The Donald Gilmer Endowed Scholarship is an annual award established by Donald Gilmer to recognize Â鶹´«Ã½s who are pursuing careers in public service. Each year, the political science faculty will identify a Â鶹´«Ã½ for the award who has participated in the Lansing Capitol Intern program. Contact professor Lauren Foley for details about the Capitol Intern Program. No application necessary. Memorial gifts to support this scholarship can be made on the WMU Foundation
- Read about Donald Gilmer
Tim Hurttgam Memorial Prize
This scholarship was established in memory of Tim Hurttgam, a WMU political science major and campus activist from 2003 to 2007. Hurttgam 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 WMU political science faculty will identify the award recipient who best exemplifies these ideals each year. Nominations or suggestions may be directed to the department chair. No application necessary.
- Read about Tim Hurttgam
William A. Ritchie Prize in Political Theory
Each academic year, a prize in political theory is awarded to an undergraduate or a graduate Â鶹´«Ã½ 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 of Political Science from the 1960s until 2001. The political theory faculty in the department selects the recipient of the prize. No application necessary.
- Read about William A. Ritchie