Departmental Honors

Majors in their senior year with Economics GPA of 3.5 or higher at the end of the Fall semester of that year are eligible. The Department invites them to apply for departmental honors at the beginning of the Spring semester of their senior year. December graduates would be eligible to apply in the prior year Spring semester. December graduates must contact the Department Chair in the Spring semester to discuss their eligibility.

Applicants submit a portfolio of what they feel is their best research paper in economics, re-done in clean copy. Include a cover essay of four to ten pages which explains the applicant's intellectual development as an economist, and describe how the paper promoted their understanding of economics. This is a blind submissions to the Economics Department, 239 Old Mill, so students should identify themselves and their work on a separate sheet of paper. Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their selection of research paper with their advisor. A committee of Economics Department faculty members selects students for departmental honors. 

College Honors

The College Honors Program, designed for superior students with unusual initiative and intellectual curiosity, provides an opportunity to pursue two-semesters (six credits) of independent research under the direction of a faculty sponsor. Students may pursue a thesis or creative project. Students may apply for College Honors if they have a cumulative GPA of 3.40 or higher. Students who wish to pursue College Honors must submit their applications early in the first term of their senior year (please see Important Dates for deadlines). Students who wish to consider undertaking a College Honors project during their junior year should contact the Dean's Office for information concerning the circumstances in which such an exceptional arrangement is possible.

Honors College

UVM's Honors College brings together outstanding students in a residential learning community.

Department Awards and Scholarships

The following awards and scholarships are given by the department to Economics majors. Financial need may be considered in some of the following awards. Students must apply for consideration for these awards and for certain awards such as the Milton J. Nadworny or the Amato/Nadworny Award must prepare and submit additional materials to the department.

Amato-Nadworny Scholarship

For a junior economics major. Candidates should have demonstrated leadership both inside and outside of the classroom. Award recipients will be selected on the basis of academic merit and achievement outside of the classroom. Candidates need to apply to the department to be considered. Established by Frank C. and Regina Amato in memory of Milton J. Nadwory, professor of economics from 1952-1986. Mr. Amato is UVM class of 1963.

John Converse Award

This award is for a senior whose academic achievement is outstanding. It is named in honor of John H. Converse, a former trustee of the University who was instrumental in establishing coursework in economics at UVM in 1899.

 

S. William Gerston Scholarship

For an outstanding sophomore, junior or senior economics major. This scholarship is shared with the School of Business. This award recognizes high achievement sophomore, junior, and senior economics majors from out of state. S. William Gersten was a 1965 UVM graduate in economics, who went on to a successful career on Wall Street. This scholarship is shared with the School of Business.
 

Philipp H. Lohman Award

This award for an outstanding economics major is named for Professor Lohman, who served as professor and chair of the economics department from 1945-1963.

Milton J. Nadworny Award

Milton J. Nadworny Award

For a junior economics major. Based on academic merit, independence of mind, determination, intellectual curiosity and commitment to human welfare. Candidates need to apply to the department to be considered. Established in memory of Milton J. Nadworny, Professor of Economics from 1952-1986, by his former students, colleagues and friends.

Freeman Saltus Award

This award recognizes seniors with high academic achievement. It was established in 1950 as a bequest from Freeman M. Saltus.

 

Skroback Award

This award recognizes students with superior achievement who have been able to provide critical analysis of conservative government policies and the relationship between government policies and economic growth. It was established in honor of Andrew Skroback, UVM class of 1958, and his wife Barbara Skroback, UVM class of 1959.

Mark J. Zwynenburg Memorial Scholarship

For an outstanding junior economics major, with a second major in political science or history, whose "qualities and interests exemplify the thoughtful, inquisitive and industrious spirit" of Mark Zwynenburg, class of 1981. Established in his memory by John and Barbara Zwynenburg.
 

Honoring Achievement

Students in the economics department are recognized for outstanding efforts. As a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the International Honors Society for economics, majors and minors who excel are inducted into the society in an awards ceremony every spring semester. This honor can be helpful to students’ future career advancement, and gives them a way to stay connected to the field.

Also each year, the department awards the John H. Converse Award, the Freeman Saltus Award, the Philipp H. Lohman Memorial Scholarship, the Mark J. Zwynenburg Memorial Scholarship, the S. William Gerston Scholarship and the Amato-Nadworny Scholarship.

Past winners of the awards are listed here (PDF).