The Department is glad to sponsor a number of awards and scholarships each year. Many of these awards are made possible by generous donations from friends of the Department, to whom we are very grateful! To give to History please contact: Mary Walsh (519-824-4120, ex. 53750; mwalsh06@uoguelph.ca [1]) or visit Giving to the College. [2]

Many of our students have received awards and scholarships through the Scottish Studies Program [3]. Additionally, the Student Financial Services Graduate Award Search [4] and Undergraduate Award Search [5] pages can help students find awards from both inside and outside of the the History Department.

2022 Update: Please refer to the Student Financial Services for recent updates regarding Travel Grants, particularly with respect to suspension of international travel due to COVID-19 restrictions: 

https://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/aid/travelgrants [6]

Graduate Awards

For a list of awards available to Graduate History Students, please see our History Graduate Studies Awards & Financial Aid Page [7].

Undergraduate Awards

The below awards are only a selection of awards available to History undergraduate students. Students are encouraged to refer to the Student Financial Services Undergraduate Award Search [5] for more comprehensive lists of funding opportunities from both inside and outside of the History Department. If an award requires an application be submitted to the Department, please email your application to the History Academic Programs Assistant (histacademic@uoguelph.ca [8]) with the subject: Application for (insert Award name and Award Code)

Crowley/Jackman Gold Prize in History [Award C0835] [9]

• The award will go to the student with the highest cumulative average. The medal has been endowed by Terry Crowley, former chair of the Department of History, and his partner Terry Jackman, a Guelph lawyer.
• Students who are graduating in June, or who have graduated at the previous fall or winter convocation, from the BA degree program with a major in History.
• Value: 1 award of $1,500
  • Past recipients: Louise Balkwill (2022), Charles Buck (2021), Margarita Wilson (2020), Jack McCart (2018), Melissa Micu (2017), Devon Sherwood (2016), Matthew Robertson (2015), Mattea Spindel Duprey (2014), Sara Wilmshurst (2012-13)

D. C. Masters Prize in History [Award C0180] [10]

• Provided by the Department of History in the College of Arts to a student selected annually in the Spring semester from students who have completed their degrees in the previous twelve months. Application is not required.
• Student completing the honours program in History (specialized honours, combined honours, or major honours) with the highest cumulative average (minimum of 80%) in History courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels in the preceding academic year.
• Value: 1 award of $500
  • Past recipients: Rachel Sinclair (2023), Katrina Ferguson (2022), Henrique Silva Paiane (2021), Haiden Vollbregt (2020), Jake McIvor (2019), Dallas Jokic (2017-18), Grace Howard (2016-17), Halyley Damecour (2014-15), Roisin Lyder (2013-14), Sara Wilmshurst (2012-13), Bethany Philpott (2011-12)

Marion McKenzie Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in History [Award I0470] [11]

• These prizes have been established in memory of Marion McKenzie (1905-1994), a teacher who had a love of learning and a continuing curiosity about the world both past and present. These are awarded to the top student in each of the required core courses in the History program (HIST*1050, HIST*2450,) in the previous academic year. Application is not required.
• Students who have completed one of the following required core courses in History: HIST*1050 and HIST*2450. The recipient for HIST*1050 must have completed no more than 5.0 credits; the recipient for HIST*2450, no more than 10.0 credits and be in the specialization in History.
• Value: 2 awards of $1500
  • Past recipients: Aleida Prinzen, Elizabeth Kaine, Emily Legere, Melissa Micu (2015-16); Jack McCart, Emily Martens, Jeremy Instead and Mark McCleary (2014-2015)

Wallace and Audrey Little Scholarship [Award I0860] [12]

• Bethany created the Wallace and Audrey Little Scholarship in History in honour of her grandparents. Apply to the History Department Awards Committee by May 15 with a one page letter outlining extracurricular volunteer experience. The recipient who demonstrates the most significant volunteer experience will be selected.
• Full-time students registered in the History major who have completed a minimum of 4.0 credits but not more than 15.0 credits with demonstrated volunteer experience.
• Value: 1 award of $1000
• Application Deadline: varies - 2021 deadline is early October. Please contact department Awards Officer for up to date deadlines.
  • Past recipients: Megan Gamble (2022), Cameron MacKay (2021), Kathleen Stennett (2015 & 2016), Karly Hurlock (2014), Kelsey Priestman (2013)

Ruth and Eber Pollard Scholarship in Canadian History [Award I0576] [13]

• Established by Ruth and Eber Pollard, former President and Treasurer, respectively, of the Guelph Historical Society during the years 1972 to 1993. This award will be provided to the student who demonstrates a passion for Canadian History and ongoing participation in exercise, wellness, or athletics. Apply by to the department of History with a letter of no more than two pages outlining academic credentials in History and ongoing commitment to exercise and wellness.
• Students majoring in History with a minimum cumulative program average of 80% who have completed a minimum of 5.0 course credits.
• Value: 1 award of $1,000
• Application Deadline: varies - 2021 deadline is early October. Please contact department Awards Officer for up to date deadlines.
  • Past recipients: Cameron Mackay (2022), Juliana Clark (2021), Rachel Delle Palme (2016), Kelsey Priestman (2015), Fraser Telford (2014), Lauren Lewitsky (2013), Sara Nixon (2012)

Ruth and Eber Pollard Prize in Canadian History [Award I0362] [14]

• Established by the Guelph Historical Society and supported by Ruth and Eber Pollard in recognition of Ruth and Eber Pollard's contribution as President and Treasurer, respectively, of the Society during the years 1972 to 1993.Preference given to an essay with a local dimension. 
• Students registered in a History major who have completed a 3000- or 4000- level history course that includes Canadian history and written an essay focused on Canadian history. No application necessary. Students are nominated by Department faculty
• Value: 1 award of $1,500
  • past recipients: Liam Cole (2023), Ronan Crozier (2022), Ariana Giglio (2021), Katja Awender (2020), Taylor Avery (2019), Madeleine Krucker & Emma Stelter (2017-18), Jeremy Istead (2015-16), Caitlin Fendley (2014-15), Natalie Benjamin (2013-14), Sara Nixon (2012-13), Sara Wilmshurst (2011-12)

Priscilla and Stanford Reid Trust Prize [Award I0597] [15]

• Established in honour the first chair of the History Department, Stanford Reid, and his wife, Priscilla Reid to acknowledge the best paper written about the history of Presbyterianism and/or the Reformed tradition. Apply, by April 1, with a copy of the paper and a covering letter including contact information to the Department of History Awards Chair.
• Any student submitting an essay on the history of Presbyterianism and/or Reformed tradition. Students apply with a copy of the paper and a covering letter including contact information to teh Awards Officer.
• Value: 1 award of $500
  • past recipients include: Shannon Baxter (2023), Wilda Thumm (2019), Naomi Garcia (2017-18), Kirsten Schwegler (2016-17), Sheilagh Quaile (2013-14), Mark Vaiana (2012-13)

W. S. Reid Essay Prize [Award I0229] [16]

• In honour of W.S. Reid, Professor Emeritus. Application is not required. Undergraduate student enrolled in the general or honours program in History who has submitted the best essay for a 4000 level course in History.
• Value: 1 award of $200
  • Past recipients: Carly Wilson (2023), Sarah Campbell (2021), Olivia Harrison (2020), Alex Wall (2019), Jack McCart (2017-18), Eliana Rosenblum (2016-17), Devon Harding (2015-16), Dallas Baker (2014-15), Alicja Grzadkowska (2013-14), Sara Wilmshurst (2012-13), Matt Edler (2011-12)

W. S. Reid Undergraduate Thesis Prize [Award I0244] [17]

• In honour of W. S. Reid, Professor Emeritus. Application is not required. Undergraduate student enrolled in the honours History program who submits the best paper for courses HIST*4470/HIST*4970 Special History Project Seminar I and II on a non-Canadian topic.
• Value: 1 award of $200
  • Past recipients: Abby Scott (2023), Dylan Parry-Lai (2021), Taylor Avery (2020), Jake McIvor (2019), Dallas Jokic (2017-18), Graham Lloyd (2016-17), Erin Fetterly (2015-16), Leigh Bohner (2014-15), Emily Fowler (2013-14), Jack Mallon (2012-13), Alex Clay (2011-12)

Elizabeth Ewan Scottish Studies Prize [Award C1222] [18]

• Elizabeth Ewan’s friends, family, colleagues, and former students established this award in honour of her longstanding contribution to the University and to Scottish Studies upon her retirement.
• Selection will be based on the highest grade in HIST*4040 or when this course is not offered, the highest standing in HIST*4470 and HIST*4970 in an academic year. Application is not required.
• Value: 1 award of $2,000
  • Past recipients: Chrisopher Payton (2023), Rachel Sinclair (2022)

Mordechai Rozanski History Scholarship [Award I0545] - no longer available

• Established by the Jean Rich Foundation in recognition of Dr. Rozanski's tenure as president of the University of Guelph from 1993 to 2003. Qualifications: Student in Year 3 (who has completed a minimum of 10.0 credits up to a maximum of 14.75 credits) of the Honours History program with the highest cumulative average. One award per year. Candidates are nominated by Department Faculty
• Past recipients: Devon Sherwood (2013-14), Matthew Robertshaw (2012-13), Craig McKay (2011-12)

William and Nona Heaslip Prize [I0801] - no longer available

• The prize is awarded to the paper that best exemplifies primary source or archival-based research in rural history. Students must be registered in the Bachelor of Arts program, with a History major, and have completed or currently registered in a 3000 or 4000 level history course. One award per year. Candidates are nominated by Department Faculty
• Past recipients: Chanel Kennedy (2016-17), Ryan Paranyi (2015-16), Cameron McKay (2014-15), Fraser Telford (2013-14), Patrick Leahy (2012-13), Stephanie Hodge (2011-12)