The recipients of these awards are announced at the annual Political Science Senior Dinner, usually held in May. These honors are also showcased in the commencement program.

Hugh A. Wilson Award for Social and Economic Justice
The Hugh A. Wilson Award recognizes a senior Political Science major for activism in the areas of social and economic justice. The selection criteria are activities that serve: the public interest, traditionally vulnerable groups, and social and economic equality.

If you would like to apply, submit a brief letter with your name, address, phone number, and a description of activities undertaken both on and off campus, with dates of your association, positions held, as well as a list of at least three references. You may also nominate another student.

Hugh Wilson, Emeritus Professor of Political Science, taught courses on American Government at Adelphi for 35 years.  Before working at Adelphi and through his early years at the university, Professor Wilson was an organizer of poor people’s movements in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. His work focused on economic, social, and racial justice issues including welfare, housing, and employment rights.  His justice work transitioned as he became a consultant to nonprofits and served as a trainer for nonprofit boards and staff.  Professor Wilson was also a participant in the 1960s civil rights and anti-war movements. He published numerous articles on Black politics, the suburbs, the politics of nuclear power, and Black families. He is still an active member of the Adelphi community having served as interim director of the Center for African-American and Ethnic Studies (spring 2007).  He also returns to teach.

Self or peer nomination.
Deadline: March 15
Award: Monetary

Past Award Recipients:

2007 Chantal Hamlin

2006 Chelle Buffone

Robert J. Johnson Prize for Best Political Science Paper
Every year the Political Science Department awards the Johnson Prize for the Best Paper in Political Science. The paper must have been submitted in a Political Science course within the previous three semesters and received a grade of "A".  Students may enter more than one paper.

Robert J. Johnson is Emeritus Professor of Political Science at Adelphi University, who taught courses on law, the courts, and public policy.  While at Adelphi, Professor Johnson earned a law degree from Hofstra University.  He served as department chair several times.  Professor Johnson was known to be the moral conscience of the university, speaking with integrity, clarity, and insight on controversial issues.

Self nomination.
Deadline: March 15
Award: Monetary

Past Award Recipients:

2007 Christian A. Fundo and Chantal Hamlin

2006 David P. Fuller and Robert J. Meekins

Until 2006, the department offered the Levine Prize for Best Paper in Political Science.  Recipients of that award include the following:

2005 Kristina Stephenson

2004 Vida Manavizadeh

W. Grafton Nealley Award for Excellence in Political Science
The department bestows the W. Grafton Neally Award for Excellence in Political Science to its most outstanding senior.  A committee of faculty members evaluates potential award recipients, taking into consideration factors such as grade point average in Political Science, the number and difficulty of courses taken, and improvement over time. 

The late W. Grafton Nealley was a Professor of Political Science at Adelphi University, who taught courses on American Government.  Arriving at Adelphi in the 1960s, Professor Nealley was a co-founder of the Political Science Department, which was previously part of the History Department.  Known for his diplomatic manners within and outside the department, Professor Nealley is warmly remembered.

Students are nominated by the Political Science faculty
Award: Monetary and a book selected by the Political Science faculty. The recipient's name is displayed on a plaque in the department office.

Past Award Recipients:

2007 Michelle DiPuma	2005 No recipient
2006 Kelly Gelling and Robert J. Meekins	2004 Vida Manavizadeh and Kara Vaval

Departmental Honors
Departmental honors are conferred on students who have a QPA of 3.5 or better in the major and have completed a seminar with a "B" or higher.

Past Recipients Include:

2007 Peter Abrami Michelle DiPuma Christian Fundo Chantal Hamlin Maxwell Heintz Joseph Welsh Megan Wilkins	2005 Leona John Portland Lawson Kristina Stephenson
2006 David Fuller Kelly Gelling Jessica Haynes Robert Meekins David Pengel Joseph Rotkowitz	2004 Angel Bogushev Michelle Jurasits Vida Manavizadeh Shinika Mason Lisa Palermo Kara Vaval

We greatly appreciate the generosity of Professor Emeritus Hugh Wilson in funding the Hugh A. Wilson Award, the Robert J. Johnson prize, and the W. Grafton Nealley Award.