Honors and Awards
Political Science Awards 2023
Each Spring the political science department hosts an awards reception to recognize the achievements of political science students. The event includes the Pi Sigma Alpha initiation, recognition of political science honor roll students, recognition of scholarship winners and the presentation of Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper Awards. The department also recognizes the recipients of Best Paper and Best Presentation at the annual William V. Moore Conference.The Alexandra Dengate Awards
The Alexandra Dengate Awards are named for Zandra Dengate, who for many years served as the department secretary. Upon her death, her mother created this scholarship fund in her memory to provide lasting support for future generations of political science students. One award is given to an incoming freshman and renewable for up to three years (name announced upon renewal); the others to outstanding sophomore, junior and senior students.
Sydney Jackson
Mackenzie McCubbins
Natalie Peyton
The Harper B. Keeler Award
The Harper B. Keeler Award is given to a rising senior in memory of Harper Brown Keeler, associate professor in political science at the Air Force Academy, who was killed in Vietnam while both parents were members of the College of Charleston faculty.
Alani Boyd
The Burnet Rhett Maybank Award
The Burnet Rhett Maybank Award is given in memory of Burnet Rhett Maybank, who devoted his career to serving South Carolina and the nation: first as Mayor of the City of Charleston, then as Governor of South Carolina, and finally as U.S. Senator from 1941 until his death in 1954.
Adeline Rios
The Geography Minor Award
The Geography Minor Award is given to one student each year for outstanding work in the program.
Upper Division Course Papers
Tyler Rommes
The Alyson and Grace Jameson Award
The Alyson and Grace Jameson Award was established by alumni Bryan and Catherine Jameson in honor of their daughters. This award recognizes students with children who are pursuing a degree in political science with an emphasis in public affairs or education.
Melinda Harley
Outstanding Student Awards
Recognition is based on grade point average in the major and overall grades earned at the College of Charleston as well as extra-curricular activities that distinguish the award recipient.
Aliece Hurley
Grace Kern
Gavin Markovic
Lea Neufeld
Anthony Ruvo
Courtney Smith
Kaitlyn Victoria
Cameron Wilson
James Wolf
The HSS Scholars Award
The HSS Scholars Award is granted by the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences. This award is given to two graduating seniors who have made the most of their programs, both inside and outside the classroom, as well as contributed positively to the lives and experiences of others with their work. Click the links to learn more about the winners of this prestigious award.
Departmental Honors
The minimum eligibility to be considered for Departmental Honors in political science includes a grade point average in the major of at least 3.5 and completion of a minimum of 12 hours of exceptionally fine independent work. The 12 hours must include the completion of a 6 hour bachelor's essay in addition to any combination of POLI 400, 401, and/or 402. The Capstone Seminar (POLI 405) may not be included in the required 12 hours of independent work.
Grace Kern
Justin May
Alexander Siegelman
Cameron Wilson
Political Science Honor Roll
The honor roll recognizes political science majors each semester who carry a minimum of 12 credits and earn a 3.5 gpa or higher. Honor Roll students will be recognized at the annual Political Science Award reception and the honor list will be posted in the department and on the website each semester.
Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society. Membership is by invitation only and granted to those who meet criteria which places them in the top third of their class.
Aliece Hurley
Grace Kern
Ella Phillips
Taylor Schneider
Cameron Wilson
Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper Awards
Each year political science faculty select outstanding student papers that have been submitted by students in political science courses throughout the academic year. Best Paper Awards fall under 2 categories: Core courses and Upper Division courses. Authors of these selected papers receive a certificate, a small monetary award, and are recognized at the Political Science Awards Reception.
Upper Division Course Papers
First Place: James Wolf
Second Place: Glory Mayreis
Third Place: Savannah Petrelli
Lower Division Course Papers
First Place: Madeline Landa
Second Place: Claire Turner
Third Place: Adeline Rios
William V. Moore Conference Awards
Best Papers
First Place: Ella Phillips
Second Place: Lucas Moyon
Third Place: Cameron Wilson
Best Presentations:
First Place: Justin May
Second Place: Grace Kern
Third Place: Aliece Hurley and Soleil Tibbets-Barnes
More information about the Moore Conference can be found at https://polisci.cofc.edu/student-ops/student-research-conf.php