Columbia University
The Undergraduate Program
Thesis Prizes and Honors
2025 Winners
Charles A. Beard Prize
Given by the Department for a senior thesis of distinction in any historical field or period.
Wena Teng – “Unholy Cargo”: Golden Venture and The Smuggling Saga of a New Alien, 1980-1993
Garrett Mattingly Prize
Given by the Department for a senior thesis of distinction in any historical field or period.
Giulio Bianco – A “White Death”: The First World War in the Dolomites and the Genesis of Modern Warfare, 1915-1918
Lily Prize
Given by the Department for the best senior thesis in history on a non-U.S. topic. Established by James P. Shenton in memory of his mother.
Ann Vettikkal – Daoxuan and the Record of Miraculous Instruction: A Sinitic Buddhist’s Reimagining of the History of Writing in the Early Tang
Herbert H. Lehman Prize
Given to a General Studies student with an outstanding record of accomplishment in history courses at Columbia. Preference given to those with substantial coursework in U.S. History.
Celeste Allen – Parenting from Afar: Unheard Voices of History in Parental Letters to a Kindertransport Child
Chanler Historical Prize (two recipients awarded)
Given by the College for the best essay submitted by a senior on a topic dealing with the history of the American civil government.
Laura Jiang – “Business as an Ally”: The Community Chest Movement and the Birth of Corporate Philanthropy, 1919-1935
Eilidh MacLeod – Controlling the Elephant River: The New Deal Transformation of the Ohio River
Albert Marion Elsberg Prize (two recipients awarded)
Given by the College for a sophomore, junior, or senior who has demonstrated excellence in modern history.
Stephen Dames – Lay Labour and Analytic Conflict: The Development and Character of British Non-Medical Psychoanalysis, 1893-1930
Zachary Vanderslice – Slavery in the Midst of Freedom: Black New York and the Illicit Slave Trade, 1799-1827
Allen J Willen Memorial Prize (two recipients awarded)
The prize is awarded to the Columbia College student who writes the best seminar paper on a contemporary American political problem.
Nick Chimicles – The Persistence of Precision: Challenging the Narrative of American Strategic Bombing in World War II
Charlotte Lokey – From the Couch to the Puplit: Antihomosexual Psychiatry, Love in Action, and the Transformation of Conversion Therapy in the 20th Century United States
Undergraduate Education Committee Prize
The Undergraduate Education Committee Prize is given to a thesis of excellence written in any field of history.
Departmental Honors 2025
Celeste Allen – Parenting from Afar: Unheard Voices of History in Parental Letters to a Kindertransport Child
Charlotte Andreano – The Pen and the Sword: The Evolving Image of Jamaican Maroons in British History and Fiction Writing, 1740-1804
Michael Boisture – The Faith of a Nation: The Catholic Church, Irish Nationalism, and Family Welfare During the Dublin Lockout and Beyond, 1913-1918
Sean Burke – German Colonialism and the Reichstag Elections of 1907: The Critical Responses of Leading Social Democrats
Stephen Dames – Lay Labour and Analytic Conflict: The Development and Character of British Non-Medical Psychoanalysis, 1893-1930
Alejandra Diaz-Pizarro – Everything is School: Exchanges Between the Mexican Communist Party and Cardenista Socialist Education, 1934-1940
Lloy Hack – “Lady Be Fit!”: Nationalism, Women, Work, and Exercise Science During the Second World War
Hannah Halberstam – Betting Against the Storm King: Risk, Blame, and Disaster in Shipwreck Stories of the Great Lakes, 1880-1975
Clara Kruijtzker – Selling Sobriety: Citizen Diplomacy and “Creating a Sober World,” 1985-1991
Zachary Vanderslice – Slavery in the Midst of Freedom: Black New York and the Illicit Slave Trade, 1799-1827
Ann Vettikkal – Daozuan and The Record of Miraculous Instruction: A Sinitic Buddhist’s Reimagining of the History of Writing in the Early Tang
Nia Willis – The Thrills of Obscenity: God of Vengeance, Harry Weinberger, and the Fight for Free Expression