History Scholarships & Awards
Richard Thomas Couture Scholarship
This scholarship honors the life and career of Dr. Richard Thomas Couture, a mainstay in the History Department from 1966 to 1998. Alumni and friends of Dr. Couture established the award in 2003. Dr. Couture served as Chair of the department, associate professor, and archivist for the university. Author of such works as Powhatan: A Bicentennial History and To Preserve and Protect: A Brief History of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, his interests focused on local history and historical preservation.
The recipient of this scholarship must be a rising junior or senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA, majoring in History, and concentrating in Public History.
C. G. Gordon Moss Award
Established in 1982 by Longwood alumnae, Sandra Weaver Huff ('62) and Judy Detrich Brown ('62), this award honors the memory of Dr. C. G. Gordon Moss. Dr. Moss served as a Professor of History at Longwood from 1944 to 1969. He served as department Chair from 1947 to 1960, and Dean of the Faculty from 1960 to 1964. During his years as Dean, Dr. Moss spoke out against the closing of schools in Prince Edward County and called for their reopening. He ardently advocated for equality and justice for all Americans during that turbulent period of local and national struggle for Civil Rights.
The award is given to a History major with a minimum 2.0 GPA in recognition of their excellence in History.
First North Carolina Company - Jamestowne Society Scholarship
The Jamestowne Society Endowment was established in 2006 through a generous donation from Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Hendry and the First North Carolina Company of the Jamestowne Society. Members of the Jamestowne Society identify themselves as descendants of settlers and colonial government officials in Jamestown, or investors in the enterprise, during its first century of development.
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support for research, writing, and internship projects in Public History, with special attention to the early Jamestown settlement.
James E. Walmsley Scholarship
This scholarship is in memory of Dr. James E. Walmsley whose career at the State Female Normal School (now Longwood University) spanned the 1920s and 1930s. His research and writing focused on local history of Bedford, Virginia, as well as the Civil War. He was very active as state secretary of the Pi Gamma Mu National Social Science Honor Society.
The recipient must be a rising third year History major and a resident of Virginia since the age of 16 with a strong interest in Virginia history, especially as it pertains to the Civil War.
Rena Weld Wheeler Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was created to honor Rena Weld Wheeler (1942-2004), Class of 1964. Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Mrs. Wheeler taught and served as an administrator at Columbus State Community College in Columbus, Ohio. Family and Friends created the scholarship in 2005.
The recipient of this award is to be a History major who has demonstrated strong academic achievement.
Burt and Sarah Hazelwood Family Scholarship
Student must be majoring in History, Political Science, or Philosophy. The scholarship is renewable at the Discretion of the department, as long as the student meets the University’s minimum student requirements.
Outstanding Freshman in History/Outstanding Freshman in Political Science
One freshman student from each major discipline will be recognized for their outstanding academic work, engagement in the classroom, and overall dedication to the major demonstrated by their involvement in discipline/department related events. Recommendations from faculty within each discipline will be considered heavily to determine the recipients of these awards. Recommendations will be sent to the department's awards committee via email from March to early April for consideration.
Outstanding Senior in History/Outstanding Senior in Political Science
One senior student from each major discipline will be recognized for their outstanding academic work, engagement in the classroom, and overall dedication to the major demonstrated over their career at Longwood, based on their involvement in discipline/department related events. Recommendations from faculty within each discipline will be considered heavily to determine the recipients of these awards. If support from the faculty exists for an additional recipient from one or the other major discipline, a second award may be given. Recommendations will be sent to the department's awards committee via email from March to early April for consideration.
Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society
History majors, as well as History minors, can also earn recognition for their accomplishments by being offered membership into the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society.
Membership Criteria: Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours (4 courses) in History, achieve a minimum GPA of 3.1 in History and a GPA of 3.0 or better overall. Membership is not limited to History majors.