Each year, the History Department recognizes students for their outstanding research and work with an informal ceremony and gathering. The 2018 award ceremony was hosted by Dana Crawford in her LoDo Loft. Students, faculty, and friends joined together for this special event. The History Department is very grateful to the generous endowments and awards that provide for our students as they continue their education. The following awards and honors were presented:
The Ward Prize
Tom & Judy Ward established the Ward Family Prize in Public History for the CU Denver student doing the most to promote history among the public through educational activities, historic preservation, publications, tours and other efforts to establish a sense of place and appreciation of the past as a guide to the future. This year, the recipient was CU Denver History Department Alumni, Kayla Gabehart. After graduating from CU Denver's MA in History Program in 2016, Gabehart became the Associate Director of National History Day in Colorado. Kayla is pictured (left) with Tom Ward.
The Whiteside Prize
Given in the name of beloved faculty emeritus James B. Whiteside, this $100 prize is given to the graduate student who writes the best essay in the course HIST 6013 Introduction to the Professional Study of History. Matthew Fulford, MA student, received this award for his historiographical essay on the Glorious Revolution.
The Tryba Prize
The David Owen Tryba Prize is an annual award for outstanding student achievement in Historic Preservation for a CU Denver student. The Tryba Family presented Jade Martin, MA student, with this year's distinction in Historic Preservation. Jade Martin earned her certificate in Historic Preservation this year and has spent the last year working on Dr. Justina Ford's 1890 Italianate home. Jade is pictured accepting her award.
The Viola Vestal Coulter Scholarships
The Viola Vestal Coulter Foundation has provided funding for students studying Colorado History since 1958. This scholarship is awarded to several students who focus on Colorado and local history each year.
Stevi Westmoreland: Stevi is a masters student focusing on public history, community engagement, and cultural context. Stevi was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and expects to graduate in the Spring of 2019. In the future, Stevi hopes to run a museum or work as a collections manager.
Laura Hogg: Recipient of the Viola Vestal Coulter Foundation Scholarship, Laura was born in Lexington, Kentucky and moved to Colorado shortly after. She graduated with her masters in American history and minor in public history in December of 2017. Laura currently works in a private school helping students with reading and learning disabilities. She hopes to someday teach and write about history in honor of her father who was her “greatest inspiration.”
Lindsey Flewelling: Lindsey, from Superior, Colorado, is a recipient of the Viola Vestal Coulter Foundation Scholarship. She has a PhD in History and is currently working on a Graduate Certification in Historic Preservation. Her academic interests include Irish-American Relations, ethnicity, immigration, and historic preservation. Lindsey hopes to pursue a career in historic preservation or museums.
Jade Martin: Recipient of the Viola Vestal Coulter Foundation Scholarship, Jade was raised in Lakewood, CO. She is a masters student focusing on Historic Preservation. Jade said the opportunities provided by taking classes in CU Denver’s MA History Program have been incredible. Through her experiences, she has been successful at publishing a magazine article on Dr. Justina Ford and her1890 Italianate home. Jade graduated in May 2018.
Evan West: A Fort Collins native, Evan plans to graduate in 2018. He recently Received the Viola Vestal Coulter Foundation Scholarship and has used it to pursue his passion for public history. He believes that public engagement is possible for all ages and demographics in the field of history and seeks for this to be a reality. Though Evan currently manages his own consulting business, he has long-term aspirations for working for the National Parks Service.