Awards and Honors

The Department of History presents the following awards and inducts members into the Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta at the end of Spring semester.

Freshman History Prize:

This prize is awarded to a freshman who has submitted the best paper written for any OWU history course during the current academic year.

History Prize (Sophomore/Junior):

This prize is awarded to the sophomore or junior declared history major/history education major or history minor who has submitted the best paper written for any OWU history upper level course during the current academic year.

Anna H. Rusoff Memorial History Prize:  

This prize was established in 1982.  The first Rusoff Prize was given in May 1983 for the best essay on any topic in American History.  Currently, this prize is awarded to a declared history major/history education major senior who has submitted the best paper written for any OWU History upper level course during the current academic year.

Hastings-Eells Prize:

This prize is awarded to the graduating senior who has the highest overall GPA AND the highest History GPA.  This student must be a History/History Ed. Major.

Phi Alpha Theta:

Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History, earned in the classroom, online or through AP or transfercredits (or a combination thereof). A minimum GPA of 3.1 in History and 3.0 GPA overall are required. A student need not be a history major to apply.

Please contact history@owu.edu for more information. For specific deadline information, visit History Department Awards 2023-2024 Info.