Named for an assistant professor who served in the department from the 1960s until the 1980s, the scholarship is awarded to an advanced student who plans to teach. An application can be completed online. Click here to access scholarship opportunities and do a keyword search for the specific scholarship(s) you wish to apply to during the open application period.

Award Recipients

• 2019-2020, Meredith Bush
• 2018-2019, Divya Vashisht
• 2017-2018, Kyle J. Rogers
• 2016-2017, Elizabeth Gerloff
• 2015-2016, Joshua McLaughlin
• 2014-2015, Katherine F. Bishop
• 2013-2014, Milissa Barrick
• 2012-2013, Sarah F. Ludley
• 2011-2012, Jordan R. Bradshaw
• 2010-2011, Clifford B. Berry
• 2008-2009, Janelle L. Conley
• 2007-2008, Samantha J. Landon
• 2006-2007, Dale Curran
• 2005-2006, Katherine E. Foutz
• 2004-2005, Jamie N. Maupin
• 2002-2003, Andrew E. Ashu
• 2001-2002, Sarah S. Haymes
• 1998-1999, William Vann

This scholarship honors William E. Blake, Ph.D., who taught in the department for 25 years before being named professor emeritus upon his retirement. Blake joined the university, then the Richmond Professional Institute, in 1965. He was named associate professor in 1969 and became a full professor in 1977.  This merit-based scholarship is awarded to a full-time advanced undergraduate or graduate student majoring in history with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and a demonstrated interest in the history of Medieval, Renaissance, Reformation and history of Christianity. An application can be completed online. Click here to access scholarship opportunities and do a keyword search for the specific scholarship(s) you wish to apply to during the open application period.

Award Recipients

• 2019-2020, Sarah Bolstad
• 2018-2019, Victoria Glover
• 2017-2018, Sara Meagan Coward
• 2016-2017, Gretchen Gales
• 2015-2016, Jalesa Taylor
• 2014-2015, Katherine F. Bishop
• 2013-2014, Kelly Lipford
• 2012-2013, Sarah A. Robinson
• 2011-2012, Debbi L. Price
• 2010-2011, Catherine K. Kitchens
• 2007-2008, Martha A. Harper
• 2006-2007, Kimberly M. Fleming
• 2005-2006, Kimberly M. Fleming
• 2003-2004, Matthew J. Compton
• 2002-2003, Susan Wilson
• 2001-2002, Jennifer Bishop

The Alan Vance Briceland Scholarship was established by Alan Briceland, Ph.D., professor emeritus of history. The scholarship will be awarded to a male student (open to all students who identify as male and/or non-binary) majoring in history who has, within the previous calendar year, received an 'A' in History 300, Introduction to Historical Study. The scholarship will be awarded to the student demonstrating the greatest degree of "historical mindedness," that is, a realist view of how historical processes work, of what in the past is significant and what is parochial, and evidence of a sense that a knowledge of history is a useful and practical tool for improving people's quality of life in the 21st century.

Students do not apply for this scholarship. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees. Non-binary students are eligible to be considered for the Alan Vance Briceland Scholarship and the Penelope Warren Briceland Scholarship.

Award Recipients

• 2020-2021, Anh Nguyen
• 2019-2020, Robert Johnson
• 2018-2019, Mitchell Linde
• 2017-2018, Kyle J. Rogers
• 2016-2017, Richard Siefring
• 2015-2016, David Morris
• 2014-2015, Brandon Seal
• 2013-2014, Edmund Viar
• 2012-2013, Gardner G. Graham
• 2011-2012, Kenneth Farino
• 2010-2011, Robert E. Ball
• 2008-2009, William M. Schworer
• 2007-2008, Muhammed Harris Niaz
• 2006-2007, Dale Curran

The Penelope Warren Briceland Scholarship is established in her memory by her husband, Alan Briceland, Ph.D. For over 20 years, Penelope Briceland taught as an adjunct faculty member. The scholarship will be awarded to a female student (open to all students who identify as female and/or non-binary) majoring in history who has, within the previous calendar year, received an 'A' in History 300, Introduction to Historical Study. The scholarship will be awarded to the student demonstrating the greatest degree of "historical mindedness," that is, a realist view of how historical processes work, of what in the past is significant and what is parochial, and evidence of a sense that a knowledge of history is a useful and practical tool for improving people's quality of life in the 21st century.

Students do not apply for this scholarship. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees. Non-binary students are eligible to be considered for the Penelope Warren Briceland Scholarship and the Alan Vance Briceland Scholarship.

Award Recipients

• 2019-2020, Uzma Bashir
• 2018-2019, Seren E. Leonard
• 2017-2018, Sara Meagan Coward
• 2016-2017, Chelsea Blakely
• 2015-2016, Cadence Wilsey
• 2014-2015, Jamie L. Pitts
• 2013-2014, Laura Crouch
• 2012-2013, Emily J. McFeat
• 2011-2012, Debbi L. Price
• 2010-2011, Ranya P. Abi-Falah
• 2008-2009, Stephanie N. Mallory
• 2007-2008, Anna M. Cloninger
• 2006-2007, Claire Hope

Established in 2012 by Emeritus Professor Harold Greer and his wife Laura Greer. For several decades, Professor Greer was an award-winning teacher of Latin American history at VCU. The scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate history major with the highest average in history courses and who has completed at least two courses in Latin American history. The recipient may be a full-time or part-time student, provided they remain in good academic standing. This scholarship is renewable. Students do not apply for this scholarship. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees.

Award Recipients

• 2018-2019, Ever Bautista
• 2017-2018, Jared T. Liggan
• 2016-2017, Bria Perry
• 2015-2016, George Holle
• 2014-2015, George Holle
• 2013-2014, Kelly Lipford
• 2012-2013, Kelly Lipford

Named for Dr. Jordan, who taught in the History Department at VCU from 1969-1984. The scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates the qualities Dr. Jordan inspired in his students and advisees - academic excellence, a passion for the study of history, leadership, and integrity. Students do not apply for this scholarship. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees.

Award Recipients

• 2019-2020, Peighton Young
• 2018-2019, Mitchell Rogers
• 2017-2018, Kyle J. Rogers
• 2016-2017, Elias Mekonen
• 2015-2016, Robert Criqui
• 2014-2015, Brandon Seal
• 2013-2014, Nicholas Porter
• 2012-2013, Ben Plache
• 2011-2012, Heather N. Smith
• 2010-2011, Robert Przybylski
• 2007-2008, Samuel I. Ulmschneider
• 2006-2007, Tina Mathews

This scholarship was established by Craig Kennedy, husband of the late Susan Estabrook Kennedy, Ph.D. Two scholarships are awarded annually. Both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in history are eligible. One scholarship shall be awarded based on merit to a recipient with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and one shall be awarded based on merit and need to a recipient of 2.5 and higher. An application can be completed online. Click here to access scholarship opportunities and do a keyword search for the specific scholarship(s) you wish to apply to during the open application period.

Award Recipients

• 2019-2020, Kristina Donnally, Kyle Fuller
• 2018-2019, Heath Anderson, Ever Bautista
• 2017-2018, Sara Meagan Coward, Robert Mathews
• 2015-2016, Jacob Ulmschneider, Erin Mullarney
• 2014-2015, Benjamin W. Fletcher, Jeremy K. Roberson
• 2013-2014, Joshua LeHuray, Jeremy Roberson
• 2012-2013, Graduate winner: Benjamin Plache, Undergraduate winner: Sarah A. Robinson
• 2011-2012, Graduate winner: Bryan S. Kessler, Undergraduate winner: Katherine S. Schmitz
• 2010-2011, Jason D. Carmichael, Jessica A. Dougherty
• 2008-2009, Muhammad H. Niaz, Leslee R. Key
• 2007-2008, Johnny A. Price, Michael Sims
• 2006-2007, Diane Anderson, William Schuman
• 2005-2006, Graduate Winner: Laura J. Ping
• 2005-2006, Undergraduate Winners: Catherine Lee Porter, Arian R. Terrill, Stephen Lee Thornton
• 2004-2005, Graduate Winners: Scott B. Hansen, Sara K. Eskridge
• 2004-2005, Undergraduate Winners: Abran N. Shaffer, Gilma B. Steele

Honors the History Department's former chair and distinguished teacher, scholar, and administrator. It is awarded to an undergraduate history major based on merit‌. An application can be completed online. Click here to access scholarship opportunities and do a keyword search for the specific scholarship(s) you wish to apply to during the open application period. 

Award Recipients

• 2019-2020, Stephnie Campbell
• 2018-2019, Andrew Scordo
• 2017-2018, Catherine Boggs
• 2016-2017, Stephanie Bennett
• 2015-2016, Elizabeth Gerloff
• 2014-2015, Grace L. Rose
• 2013-2014, Kelly Lipford
• 2012-2013, Kelton Rasmussen
• 2011-2012, Debbi L. Price
• 2010-2011, Suzanne M. Hicks
• 2008-2009, Brittany G. Foster
• 2007-2008, Lindsay R. Fisher
• 2006-2007, Erin Jameson
• 2005-2006, Arian R. Terrill
• 2004-2005, Abran N. Shaffer
• 2003-2004, Matthew J. Compton

The Victor Humberto Narro Scholarship will provide scholarship support to College of Humanities and Sciences students with majors in the Department of Political Science and/or the Department of History and are in good academic standing. To qualify, applicants must be a part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (or future name of such program), and/or who are interested in migration studies, and/or who are involved in work or volunteerism at an organization with a mission to serve immigrant communities. Preference shall be for applicants who are rising sophomores. Click here to access scholarship opportunities and do a keyword search for the specific scholarship(s) you wish to apply to during the open application period. 

The Marc Noble Scholarship in the History of Technology is endowed through a gift from Marc Noble, a VCU History major who made a successful career in the field of information security, to be awarded to a graduate or undergraduate History major with a demonstrated interest in ethical perspectives on technology and its uses, past and future. An application can be completed online. Click here to access scholarship opportunities and do a keyword search for the specific scholarship(s) you wish to apply to during the open application period.

Award Recipient

• 2019-2020, Andrew Levin

Named for an associate professor who served in the department from the 1950s until the 1980s. The book award is presented to the student writing the best class paper or completing the best project for any history course other than Independent Study during the previous academic year. Students and faculty can submit papers and projects to Professor Joseph Bendersky at jbenders@vcu.edu. 

Award Recipients

• 2020-2021, Tyler N. Witschi
• 2019-2020, Yelyzaveta Shevchenko
• 2018-2019, Kyle Rogers
• 2016-2017, Emily Buss
• 2015-2016, Daniel Dawson
• 2014-2015, Caleb E. Greene
• 2013-2014, Adrianna C. ScheerCook
• 2012-2013, Anthony Cox
• 2010-2011, Elliott Richardson 
• 2008-2009, Amanda Lee Savage
• 2007-2008, Emily Gershman
• 2006-2007, Catherine Lee Porter
• 2005-2006, Arian R. Terrill
• 2002-2003, Jennifer Bishop
• 2001-2002, Emily Rusk
• 1998-1999, Ward Howarth, Veronica Mattera, William C. Vann, Jr.
• 1996-1997, Melissa A. Menefee
• 1993-1994, Stephen Retherford

Identifies and encourages a promising African American undergraduate to pursue graduate work in history. This award is presented as part of the "Black History in the Making" celebration sponsored by the Department of African American Studies. Student receives a copy of Du Bois' 1903 classic The Souls of Black Folks and another book prize. Students do not apply for this award. All nominations and selections are by History Department faculty and committees. 

Award Recipients

• 2021-2022, Talia L. Bazemore
• 2020-2021, Gregory Smith
• 2019-2020, Carleigh Marshall
• 2017-2018, Courtney Jones
• 2016-2017, Mariah Hines
• 2015-2016, Elias Mekonen
• 2014-2015, David A. Morris
• 2013-2014, Jalesa A. Taylor
• 2012-2013, Antoinette Moore
• 2011-2012, Hoyt Timmons
• 2010-2011, Brittany N. Johnson
• 2009-2010, Nicholas A. Betts
• 2008-2009, Stephen Davenport
• 2007-2008, Greg O. Johnson
• 2006-2007, Kiesha D. Green
• 2005-2006, Ronni E. Griffin
• 2004-2005, Angela Mack, Gabriel Williams
• 2002-2003, Andrew E. Ashu, Saedah A. Tyler-Muhammad
• 2001-2002, LaToya S. Gray
• 1999-2000, Crystal Odusanya
• 1998-1999, Bobby T. Shockley
• 1997-1998, Raphaela Butts
• 1996-1997, Julie M. Murray
• 1995-1996, Ozay M. Jones
• 1993-1994, Marilyn Heckstall

Named for a department chairman in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This book award is presented to the graduating senior history major with the highest grade point average in seven or more history courses taken at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Award Recipients

• 2020-2021, Kristina Donnally
• 2019-2020, Margaret McClelland, Aaron Rodriguez
• 2018-2019, Miranda L. Madray, Lesley Boggs, Jared Liggan
• 2016-2017, Mariah Hines, Thomas J. Dorsey
• 2015-2016, Evan V. Clarke, Daniel J. Dawson, Kelly L. Lipford, Paul M. Nordvig, Brandon S. Seal
• 2014-2015, Benjamin W. Fletcher, Carley Langley
• 2013-2014, Joanne Y. Chiao, Hayden Hodges, Hilaire T. Meire, Adrianna C. ScheerCook
• 2012-2013, Robert Ball, Sarah Ludley, Anthony Perkins, Kelton Rasmussen
• 2011-2012, Debbi Price
• 2010-2011, Suzanne Hicks, Ben Plache
• 2009-2010, Brittany G. Foster, Sarah Hornberger
• 2008-2009, Martha Ann Harper, Vinod Kondragunta
• 2007-2008, Megan A. Mercer
• 2006-2007, Arian R. Terrill
• 2005-2006, Stephen Lee Thornton
• 2004-2005, Matthew J. Compton
• 2003-2004, Peter Laborde
• 2002-2003, Adi Catherine Arad, Jennifer Bishop, Adam Nathanson
• 2001-2002, Ryan Conway
• 2000-2001, Michael Hasenfus
• 1999-2000, William C. Vann, Jr.
• 1998-1999, Keri Dawson
• 1997-1998, M. Bruce Hunroe, Kevin McNally, David L. Smith
• 1996-1997, Wynne Lee Edwards Jr., Jennifer Lynn Creger
• 1993-1994, Lawrence D. Griffith, Christopher Magoulas

Named for the department's first chairman, whose service at the University extended from the 1940s to the 1970s. This book award is presented for the best paper written in Honors History or Independent Study during the previous academic year. Students and faculty can submit papers to Professor Joseph Bendersky at jbenders@vcu.edu. 

Award Recipients

• 2019-2020, David Hayter
• 2002-2003, Eric S. Crane, Adam Nathanson
• 2001-2002, Elizabeth Seward
• 1999-2000, William Vann
• 1998-1999, Patricia Paine
• 1996-1997, Kristin A. Thrower
• 1993-1994, Scott Maurer, Jamie R. Novotny

This book prize award honors the best paper by a history graduate student. Students and faculty can submit papers and projects to Professor Joseph Bendersky at jbenders@vcu.edu. 

Previous Award Recipients:

• 2020-2021, Eric Szandzik
• 2019-2020, Ana Edwards
• 2018-2019, Victoria Glover
• 2016-2017, Marlea S. Donaho
• 2015-2016, Kathryn S. Parkhurst
• 2014-2015, Amanda Tompkins
• 2013-2014, Caitlin D. Foltz
• 2012-2013, Anthony Cox
• 2010-2011, Bryan Kessler
• 2009-2010, Alyce Graham, Jacques B. Vest
• 2008-2009, Schuyler Van Valkenburg
• 2007-2008, Lauren T. Wanveer
• 2006-2007, Scott B. Hansen
• 2005-2006, Scott B. Hansen
• 2004-2005, John M. Fout, Terrence M. Moore, Eric A. Ruark
• 2003-2004, Anne Berler, Scott Hansen
• 2002-2003, Angela L. Boyer
• 2001-2002, John McClure
• 2000-2001, John McClure
• 1999-2000, Solomon K. Smith
• 1979-1998, James Nuessle
• 1996-1997, Kelley M. Brandes

Distinction awarded to students with a 4.0 GPA. Students do not need to apply for this award. 

Award Recipients

• 2015-2016, Evan V. Clarke, Daniel J. Dawson, Thomas J. Dorsey, Kelly L. Lipford, Paul M. Nordvig, Ashley E. Perry, Brandon S. Seal
• 2013-2014, Joanne Y. Chiao, Benjamin W. Fletcher, Kelly Lipford, Ashley E. Perry, Adrianna C. ScheerCook, Elizabeth A. Sorensen, Colin H. Walker
• 2011-2012, Debbi Price
• 2010-2011, Robert Ball, Charles Lockett, Jonathan Metcalf, Anthony Perkins, Debbi Price
• 2009-2010, Robert Ball