Below is a list of available scholarships and awards, a description of each, and recent winners. Select on an item to learn more.
Distinguished Professor Geraldine Forbes Research Award
Amount: Up to $500
Contact: Chair, History Department, Mahar Hall
Named for Dr. Geraldine Forbes, who taught in the History Department from 1971–2012. The award honors Dr. Forbes’ commitment to undergraduate research and travel. Students may apply for research and travel support up to $500. Contact the History Department for information and application deadlines.
Virginia L. Radley Fellowship
Amount: $2,400
Contact: Chair, History Department, Mahar Hall
Created in 1998 as a tribute to Dr. Virginia L. Radley (d. 1998), President Emerita, to laud her commitment to academic excellence and years of service to Oswego State.
Eligibility: Undergraduate History majors or students pursuing a graduate degree in History during the spring semester.
2023 Recipient: Ryan Paternoster
Mahar Memorial History Award
Amount: $275
Contact: Chair, History Department, Mahar Hall
Honors the late Marion Mahar (d. 1960), Professor of Modern History in the Social Studies Department at SUNY Oswego. Active on campus from 1931–1957 and in the Oswego community assisting refugees during the war. Presented each year at Honors Convocation to the outstanding graduating senior in History. Selections are made by the History Department.
2023 Recipients: Isabel Dunning and Ashley Scott
Riley Hamm Award
Amount: $175
Contact: Chair, History Department, Mahar Hall
Established by alumnus Arwin A. Hamm, Jr. (Class of 1922) to honor his grandfather, Riley Hamm, a runaway slave who later enlisted in the Union Army. Awarded to the student writing the best paper on the African American experience from the Colonial era to the present. Selections are made by the History Department.
Eligibility:
- Be enrolled in a History course.
- Submit a research paper on the topic described above to the Chair, History Department, Mahar Hall.
Jean Evans Memorial History Scholarship
Amount: $500
Contact: Chair, History Department, Mahar Hall
Established by Michael Kirk in memory of his aunt, Jean Evans (d. 2011), who worked as an Administrative Assistant in the History Department for more than 25 years. Recognizes an outstanding History major for academic performance and campus involvement.
Eligibility:
- Be a declared History major.
- Have a minimum SUNY Oswego GPA of 3.25.
- Apply in freshman, sophomore, or junior year (0–86 earned credits, including transfer credits, at time of application deadline) for an award to be received in the subsequent academic year.
- Demonstrate campus involvement by submitting an essay describing involvement.
- Demonstrate financial need.
Preference: Students from Oswego County. If the most qualified applicant is not from Oswego County, the award goes to the student who best meets the other criteria.
Phi Alpha Theta
Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. We seek to bring students and teachers together for intellectual and social exchanges, which promote and assist historical research and publication by our members in a variety of ways.
2023 Recipients:
- Courtney Wood
- Shannon May
- Aiden McCarthy
- Elaina Berlin