Undergraduate Scholarships

This award, intended for undergraduate and graduate students 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 students studying sustainable agricultural or food systems, climate change related impacts to the environment, environmental or climate policy, or other related fields; and students with demonstrated financial need.
• Application is made through nomination by faculty or by self-nomination.
• Application
• Read about Kenneth Dahlberg

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.

• Application
• Read about David Houghton

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 student.

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.

• Application
• Graduate students may be nominated by faculty or self-nominated.
• Read about Arden J. Elsasser

Established by Congressman Howard Wolpe to support the study of politics, this annual award is given to a student 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
• Application
• Read about Howard Wolpe

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.

• Eligibility and Criteria
• Application
• Read about Mark Denenfeld

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
• Application
• Read about Helenan S. Robin

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 students 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.

• Eligibility and Criteria
• Application
• Read about Peter Renstrom

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 students' 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 students with junior status.
• Eligibility and Criteria
• Application

You may apply for this award if you are an undergraduate student (or in certain circumstances, a graduate student). 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 students 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
• Application
• Read about George Klein

An annual award:

• Given to a graduate or undergraduate student engaging in the study of Africa or selected African nations.
• Political science majors who have demonstrated academic excellence.
• Eligibility and Criteria
• Submit an Application in the academic year before you plan travel to Africa.
• Read about Howard Wolpe

This award is available to a political science student 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
• To apply for funds for the spring semester, students who are eligible may use this Application  (Deadline: Nov. 1).
• To apply for funds for the summer semester, students who are eligible may use this Application (Deadline: March 1).
• To apply for funds for the fall semester, students who are eligible may use this Application (Deadline: March 1).
• Read about Zoa D. Shilling

This award is available to a political science student 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
• To apply for funds, students who are eligible may use this Application (Deadline March 1).
• Read about Paul Iagnocco

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

The Donald Gilmer Endowed Scholarship is an annual award established by Donald Gilmer to recognize students who are pursuing careers in public service. Each year, the political science faculty will identify a student 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 Donald Gilmer Endowed Scholarship page.

• Read about Donald Gilmer

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

Each academic year, a prize in political theory is awarded to an undergraduate or a graduate student 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