Awards and Scholarships
The Department of Political Science is fortunate to have a number of scholarships made possible by the generosity of former students and community leaders. Each year, the faculty members in the department meet to select scholarship recipients from among our many exceptional majors. With the exception of the one-semester only Mayor Frances Monk Scholarship in public service, our department scholarships cover the entire academic year with financial deposits made directly into the recipients' Cardinal One accounts at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
Awards
Dawson Award for Best Undergraduate Political Science Student
The Dawson Award for Best Undergraduate Political Science Student is the highest honor our department bestows upon a student. It was established in 1988 to recognize outstanding undergraduate achievement.
Dawson Award recipients have gone on to achieve great professional success. Past Dawson recipients include numerous university professors and professional educators, one university athletic director, one corporate transactional business executive, 16 practicing attorneys and two current law school students.
Mayor Frances K. Monk Award in Public Service
Frances K. Monk was elected mayor of Port Neches, Texas, in 1996 and served on the city council for 15 years and as an educator for 32 years. In honor of the contributions made by Mayor Monk, the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission established the scholarship in 2014 to provide a scholarship in the amount $500 each semester to a junior or senior political science student seeking a career in public service.
Fall 2018 Mayor Frances K. Monk Scholarship recipient - Connor Raborn
Best Undergraduate Paper and Research Awards
Each year, the faculty members of the Department of Political Science nominate the most outstanding papers they have received in their courses for consideration of the award of Best Undergraduate Paper.
Award Recipients:
Tristen Anding, "Guaranteed Paid Vacation and its Effects on the Health and Productivity Rates of Workers,“ nominated by Dr. Terri Davis.
Michael Edwards, "Examination of the S.W.A.T. Forces Program and the Effects of Newer Policies,“ nominated by Dr. James Nelson.
Best Undergraduate Research Presentation:
Wesley Stapleton, "The Rise of Volunteerism during Hurricane Harvey Compared to Volunteerism during Hurricane Katrina,” nominated by Dr. Terri Davis.
Scholarships
Marilyn and Gilbert Adams Jr. Scholarship in Pre-Law
Established by the children of local attorneys Marilyn and Gilbert Adams, Jr. in honor of their parents, the Adams Scholarship is open to sophomore, junior and senior level students majoring in Political Science with a demonstrated intent to continue their education after graduation to obtain a Juris Doctorate degree.
David J. Beck Regents Scholarship in Political Science
The David J. Beck Regents Scholarship in political science increased the endowment to the status of Regents Scholarship in 2016. Mr. Beck served as a Regent of the Lamar University System and also served on the Lamar University Foundation Board. He was also named a Lamar University Distinguished Alumnus and is an active trial lawyer.
Jack Brooks Scholarship in Government and Public Service
Congressman Jack Brooks had a close personal relationship with Lamar University for over 50 years and due to the congressman's tireless efforts in the Texas Legislature, Lamar was propelled from a two-year college to a four-year university. The scholarship is awarded to outstanding students who seek a career in legal, government or teaching.
Jimmie P. Cokinos Endowed Scholarship for Equality in Education
The Cokinos Scholarship was established by the Cokinos family in memory of Jimmie P. Cokinos, who was a civic leader and former Mayor of Beaumont. With this scholarship, the Cokinos family seeks to fulfill his lifelong quest for justice and equality in education.
Dr. Irving O. Dawson Scholarship in Political Science
Houston attorney David J. Beck established the Dr. Irving O. Dawson Scholarship in political science to honor his former political science professor for his mentorship and compassion for higher education.
Carl D. Levy Memorial Scholarship in Arts and Sciences
The Carl D. Levy Memorial Scholarship in Arts and Sciences was established in honor of Mr. Carl Levy by his wife, Doris Rosinger Levy. The scholarship is open to incoming freshmen with a priority in pre-law studies.
Howard McDaniel Presidential Scholarship
2018-19 Howard McDaniel Presidential Scholarship recipients – Tristen Anding and Savannah Parfait
