Holtrop, Schownir receive History Department awards

Huntington, Ind.-The Huntington University Department of History presented awards to two students during a department dinner on April 8.

The History Department faculty selected Elizabeth Holtrop and Matthew Schownir as this year's recipients of the Jack P. Barlow Sr. History Book Prize based on their outstanding performance in Great Issues in American History, a seminar required of all history majors. The recipients each will receive $200 to be used for books for their personal library.

Schownir is a senior history major, and Holtrop is a junior political studies major, both from Huntington, Ind.

"Elizabeth is a joy to have as a student," said Dr. Dwight Brautigam, professor of history. "Her intellectual curiosity and vibrant personality are keys to her academic success and will serve her well as she continues on her sure path to Secretary of State."

The Jack P. Barlow Sr. History Book Prize is made possible by the Ron Frank Memorial Endowment in History, a fund established in 1973 to honor the memory of Ron Frank, a Huntington College history major who passed away during the spring semester of his senior year. Emeritus Professor Jack Barlow was instrumental in establishing and overseeing the fund; in the spring of 2005, the History Department decided to name this award in his honor. He and the other donors to the fund desire to provide financial assistance to history majors at Huntington University while also memorializing Ron Frank. They also wish to recognize outstanding history students at Huntington University, and the Barlow History Book Prize is one means of accomplishing that goal.

Schownir also was named the winner of the S. G. Whittle Johnston Memorial Award in History for his entry titled "King's Prerogative: Frederick the Great and Prussian Toleration." He will receive a plaque and a cash award of $1,000.

"Matt is a great thinker, excellent writer and conscientious researcher who is richly deserving of these awards," Brautigam said. "Our department anticipates a bright future for Matt as he pursues graduate study in history."

The S. G. Whittle Johnston Memorial Award in History, now in its seventh year, was established by a Huntington College alum who was a history major. The award honors the memory of this alum's graduate school mentor. By funding this award, the donor wishes to encourage upper-level history students in their study of history. The award goes to the junior or senior history major who submits the most outstanding work of original scholarship to the History Department faculty during the fall semester. Department faculty members then select the winner from the submissions received.