Department Awards
History Department Award Winners pose with History Faculty From left to right: Professor Malena, Caitlin Schoen, Professor Holden, Samuel Coomes, Joseph Turner, Megan Root, Professor Adams, and Professor Musgrove. Not Pictured: Angela Cruz
All award recipients of department awards and scholarship are selected by committee. There is no application process.
David Beers Quinn Award in History
Established in 1978 to recognize outstanding scholarship in the discipline. In 1986, named in honor of a distinguished former professor of history.
2020: Sara LaRocco
2019: Megan Root
2018: Caitlin Schoen
2017: James Rhine, Jr.
2016: Carson Fehner
2015: Carolyn LoRocco
2014: Samantha Cameron
2013: Gabriel Young
2012: Monica Louzon
2011: Megan Anderson
2010: Zack Weinkam
2009: Jordan Grant
2008: Halley Lynne Fehner
2007: Kathleen Frana
2006: Jeremy Young
2005: Michelle Ruth Hessey
Alison Quinn Award in History
Established in 1984 in honor of his wife by David Beers Quinn to benefit students who demonstrate an interest in history and specializing in the subject.
2020: Nathaniel Peterson
2019: Colin Sweatt
2018: Megan Root
2017: Caitlin Schoen
2016: Emily Christian
2015: Madeline Mann
2014: Philipa Friedman
2013: Evan Kelley
2012: Zachary Etsch
2011: Rachel Waldron
2010: Brendan McCarthy
2009: Zachary Weinkam
2008: Jordan Daniel Grant
2007: Halley Fehner
2006: Nathan Barker
2005: Jeremy Cameron Young
The Betty W. Briscoe Award
Provided by the John Hanson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Calvert County) to a Calvert County history major.
2020: Sadie Clark
2019: Sara LaRocco
2018: Angela Cruz
2017: Vincent Turner
2016: Sarah Pfeiff
2015: Amanda Brown
2014: Alex Gadd
2013: Dylan Cahn
2012: Holly Fabbri
2011: Mike Youngborg
2010: Marc Pirner
2009: April Pavis
2008: Amy Alicia Griffin
2007: Vince Cappello
2006: Kelly LaRose
2005: David Madera
The Colton History Award
Provided by the Major William Thomas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (St. Mary’s County) to a deserving history student.
2019: Kathryn Herberger
2018: Joseph Wade Turner
2017: Emily Christian
2016: Rebecca Archer
2015: Carson Fehner (a junior)
2014: Benjamin Israel
2013: Steven Gentry
2012: Jennifer Kunze
2011: Larry MacCurtain
2010: Megan Anderson
2009: Julia Toman
2008: William Seth LaShier
2007: Kate Wersan
2006: Natasha Hollenbach
2005: Debbie Yan Lee
The May Russell Historical Achievement Award
Given by the St. Mary’s County Historical Society for an outstanding paper on some aspect of St. Mary’s County history or early Maryland history from the 17th century through the Civil War.
2019: Vincent Turner
2018: Samuel Commes
2017: Stella Yakam
2016: Lina Mann
2015: Taylor Schaefer
2013: Joanna Purich
2011: Holly Fabbri
2010: Olivia Williams
2009: Paige Spencer
2008: Keith Robert Buzby
2007: Nathan Barker
2006: Don Johnson
2005: Bethany Rae Scherbarth
The Thomas Barrett Research Award
Established in 2016 in honor of departed colleague, Tom Barrett. It is granted to a deserving history major for the purpose of furthering ongoing research. ($500)
2020: Amanda Arcidiacono and James Miller
2019: Alec Bernstein
2019: Alec Bernstein
2018: Sam Coomes and Caitlin Schoen
2017: Emily Christian
National Society of Colonial Dames
For those aspiring to graduate study in American History. These awards are managed in each District separately in accordance with a rotating schedule. ($500)
2015: Caroline Szendey
2013: Matthew Anthony
2011: Frank McGough
2010: Mike Youngborg
2009: Amy Griffin
2006: Bridget McVae/Beth Luginbill
2005: Laura Brian Coons
Margaret B. Marlay St. Mary’s Project Award
Granted annually for gifted students in English or History for work on a St. Mary’s Project.
2020: Emily Gorham and Nathaniel Peterson
2019: Megan Root
2013: Gabriel Young
2009: Perry A. Colvin and Paige C. Spencer
The Sotterly Award
2014: Craig Tyer
Past History Department Awards
Professor Dennie and Megan Root pose at the awards convocation.
Caitlin Schoen alongside her SMP mentor, Professor Adams