Awards & Scholarships

Sokolowski Award
The Sokolowski Award is awarded to an individual of Polish descent. There is a preference that the winner be history or social studies education majors but may be awarded to other majors if there are no qualified history or social studies education majors. The winner must have a minimum GPA 3.0 overall. Financial need of the student can be considered by the department when making an award. Individual must have completed minimum of two semesters at Buffalo State. Award requires student to fill out an application.

Koginos Award
Minimum GPA of 3.5 in the history major is required. Undergraduates are preferred, but award may be given to a graduate student. There is a requirement of a completion of a minimum 15 credit hours in American history at an upper division level by the end of their junior year (88 credits); junior standing or higher is also required.

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Donald and Barbara Leopard Memorial Scholarship Fund
The winner of this award will be history major, undergraduate or graduate. The candidate must submit a written composition to the awards committee reflective of intellectual curiosity and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom in the fields of Modern European, African, or Military History; the paper submitted may be an honors thesis, research paper, course of study, or written specifically for consideration for the award.  Special consideration will be given to members of Phi Alpha Theta.

Contact: Kenneth Orosz

Bernard and Nancy Belfer Endowed Scholarship Fund 
The Belfer Scholarship will be awarded to a full time History Major with Minimum GPA of 3.33 overall.  Student must have completed 30 credit hours and carry minimum of 12 credit hours each semester.

Contact:  York Norman

Eric Brunger History Award for Excellence 
The award will be given to history or social Studies education major with either sophomore, junior, or senior status. Student must demonstrate outstanding writing skills. In order to meet this requirement, candidates must submit a written composition such as an honors thesis, research paper, a course of study, or a paper written specifically for award consideration in the area of American history or American historical geography focusing on local, regional, or state development to the contact person(s).

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Norman F. Weaver Award for Excellence in Historical Research and Writing 
Award will be given to an undergraduate history or social studies education major. Candidates must produce an outstanding research or scholarly essay pertaining to any are of history. Award will be publicized in the fall semester, particularly to students enrolled in history seminars and other writing intensive courses; Instruction Committee shall plan a program which will allow the final awardee to make a formal presentation of his/her research paper to students and faculty.

Contact: Martin Ederer

Bullough Memorial Award in History 
Criteria and selection process to be established by department. Award can be given to a social studies, history, or graduate student.

Contact: York Norman

G. Allen McFarren Award for Excellence in Student Teaching 
To be awarded to social studies education undergraduate or graduate students or Certification Only students who have demonstrated outstanding performance during student teaching.

Contact: York Norman

History and Social Studies Education Awards Fund 
The Thomas G. Powell Award (History) and Kathleen Mallea Award (Social Studies Education).

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Harold and Lucille Peterson Endowed Scholarship Fund 
Student must be enrolled full time (12 hours undergraduate or 9 hours graduate) undergraduates must have High School Average of 88 percent or better. Eligibility is limited to 8 consecutive semesters (undergraduate) and 4 consecutive semesters (graduate).

Contact: Andrew Nicholls

Edward O. Smith, Jr. Scholarship Fund 
Scholarship to be awarded in spring semester with the understanding that finances are to be made available for start of the fall semester. (Example – for a senior to receive this award he/she must apply as a junior – undergraduates must be junior or senior status) Minimum GPA of 3.0 in history major (only). Both undergraduates and graduate students are eligible. The award may be repeated. Undergraduate candidates must submit a portfolio of achievements in relevant courses of studies, and may also wish to include letters of recommendation from faculty, or any other relevant documents for consideration by the selection committee. Graduate candidates must submit a research project, letters of recommendation, or other relevant documents for review by the selection committee. Candidate's eligibility shall be based on achievement in the studies of British history including British Empire and Commonwealth, Irish history, Asian history, European history, Church history, and/or Buffalo/Niagara Regional history. Students with an interest in museum studies shall also be considered. Selection shall be made after the beginning of the spring semester each year, and prior to the publication of the program for the spring awards ceremony.

Contact:  Andrew Nicholls

Kevin J. Shea Memorial Scholarship Fund 
Scholarship prize to be awarded annually to an outstanding social studies education major.

Contact: York Norman

Sheriff Thomas F. Higgins Endowed Scholarship Fund 
This award alternates bi-annually between the History and Social Studies Education and Criminal Justice departments. The History and Social Studies Education will give the award in 2013, 2015, and 2017. There is a minimum 3.5 GPA required for this award.

Contact: York Norman

Ann K. Lupo Award 
This award goes to a non-traditional Social Studies Education student who has shown great perseverance in pursuit of their academic goals while maintaining a healthy life balance.