Honors and Awards

Political Science Awards 2022

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 Best Paper Awards. All political science students are invited to attend. This year's event was held in Alumni Hall on Friday, April 22nd at 4 p.m.

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.
Reese Dickerhoff
Sydney Long
Andrew Megathlin Maggi
Brooklyn Morella
Ella Phillips
Taylor Schneider

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.
Florence Manlapas

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.
Jaliyah Sumter

The Geography Minor Award

The Geography Minor Award is given to one student each year for outstanding work in the program.

Alexandra Peduto

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.
Elise Casella

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.
Emily Duckworth
Sydney Gonzales
Katie Hopewell
Zach Kronsberg

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 link to read student profile:

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.
Kathlene Dorking
Zach Kronsberg
Jordan Mercer
Ryan Thompson
De'von Witherspoon

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 following each semester.

Pi Sigma Alpha 

Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of government in the United States. At present, there are more than 700 Pi Sigma Alpha chapters on campuses across the country. Pi Sigma Alpha's purpose is to recognize and promote scholarship on and intelligent discussion of government and politics. Requirements to become a member include: a 3.25 GPA in political science courses; a 3.0 overall, and the completion of at least 18 hours in political science coursework. The Department of Political Science at the College of Charleston emails invitations to join Pi Sigma Alpha to eligible students early in the Spring semester each year. Students who choose to accept the invitation by completing the application and submitting the lifetime membership fee will be initiated at the Political Science Awards reception where they will receive a certificate to recognize their achievement and if they choose to purchase a medallion that they can wear at graduation.
Timothy Berry
Evan Brown
Britney Cano
Reese Dickerhoff
Emily Duckworth
Madeleine Kufeldt
Gavin Markovic
Madison Martinborough
Max Milliken
Alexander Siegelman
Kendall Tally
Kaitlyn Victoria

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: Madi Methvin
Second Place: Colin Crates
Third Place: Evan Brown

Lower Division Course Papers

First Place: Cameron Wilson
Second Place: Florence Manlapas
Third Place: Liza Malcolm

William V. Moore Conference Awards

Best Papers

First Place: Zachary Kronsberg
Second Place: Emily Duckworth

Best Presentations:

First Place: Jordan Mercer
Second Place: Kaitlyn Victoria
More information about the Moore Conference can be found at https://polisci.cofc.edu/student-ops/student-research-conf.php