Each year, the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) recognizes the outstanding work and academic achievements of graduate students in its various programs. Please scroll down to view a complete listing of Awards and Honors presented to SPPA Graduate Students each year.
Click here to view a list of current award and honor recipients.
Previous Award Winners:
2012
School Director’s Citation
A citation that is presented to a second year student (or students) who has made considerable contributions to the mission of the School (and College) through exceptional participation in the activities of the School and College’s units and programs, of other units at the University, and of outside organizations and agencies.
Alumni of Public Policy and Administration Student Award
An award that is presented by the School’s alumni association to a student with a distinguished academic record, has made outstanding public service contributions, and who best exemplifies the School of Public Policy & Administration’s commitment to the creation and dissemination of usable social knowledge.
Qualifications: Recipient must have a record of superior academic achievement and scholarly promise; the recipient’s public service activities must include distinctive contributions to at least one project while enrolled in the School. Only students who have completed at least one full year at the School are eligible for this award.
Barry R. Morstain M.P.A. Mid-Career Prize
A prize that is awarded to a Career Enhancement Option student who best demonstrates the value of academic excellence and a commitment to public service and diversity.
Qualifications:Recipient must be a returning career enhancement student in the University of Delaware’s M.P.A. Program. Prize is designed to help students to defray costs of necessities of graduate education.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The College honors alumni present this award each year to a student who has made extraordinary contributions to the School, the College, the University, their profession, and their community. Generally awarded to Convocation speakers.
Qualifications: Recipients must be graduates of one of the six-degree programs of the School of Public Policy & Administration. Individual recipients may have a record of notable service to any one, several, or all of the groups listed in the citation.
George & Renee Raffel Endowment for Excellence and Opportunity
Jeff Raffel and his family in honor of his parents, George and Renee Raffel, established this award. This fund was established to recognize their support for their son and others seeking to complete their education despite financial pressures. The fund assists a student with professional travel, research/data collection/software funds, the purchase of books or reports, or other necessities of graduate education. It is meant to help students move toward the successful completion of their degree(s).
Qualifications: Recipient must be a student in the School of Public Policy Administration whttps://sites.udel.edu/sapa/student-tools/sppa-graduate-honors-awards/ith a strong academic record, especially in the field of urban affairs, public policy, public administration, or a related field.
Henry R. Folsom Award
An award that is presented for the best paper or thesis applying public administration theory and techniques in developing practical solutions to public sector problems.
Qualifications: Recipient must be an outstanding M.P.A. student (or a graduate within the past year), as well as the author of a solid piece of research with practical implications. (Please indicate the name of the paper.)
James H. Sills Scholarship
A research assistantship awarded to a student who will work with faculty and staff on the research and public service programs of the Center for Community Research and Service.
Qualifications: Recipient must be a student in the School of Public Policy & Administration with a strong academic record and a commitment to public service and community development. Preference will be given to residents of Wilmington, Delaware.
Mark A. Haskell Award
An award that is presented to a student who has demonstrated consistent, superior performance in the field of urban affairs and public policy, particularly in the area of political economy.
Qualifications: Recipient must have demonstrated consistent, superior performance in the field of urban affairs and public policy, particularly in the area of political economy; beyond this, the nominee’s work and intellectual orientation should reflect some of the values and commitments that were characteristic of Professor Haskell.
Marvin S. Gilman/National Housing Endowment Scholarship in U.S. Housing and Urban Policy
A scholarship that is presented to a student who exhibits an exemplary commitment to housing research and a dedication to the strengthening of housing policy in the U.S.
Qualifications: Recipient must be a student in the School of Public Policy & Administration with a strong academic record and carrying out, or planning to carry out, thesis or dissertation research in the field of housing.
Milton and Mary Edelstein Scholarship for Public and Community Service
A scholarship (Research Assistantship) that is awarded to a graduate student who, by exceptional contributions to the research and public service programs of the School of Public Policy & Administration during the past academic year, both exemplifies the public service values of the school and enhances the well-being of the community (award honors Milton and Mary Edelstein, the parents of the late Muriel Gilman).
Qualifications: Recipients must be students in the School of Public Policy & Administration with strong academic records. Specific description and documentation of the exceptional nature of the student’s service contribution are required. Student should be planning to be a full-time student for the next academic year.
Pauline E. Loessner Memorial Award
This award, to be made at the discretion of the Director of the School of Public Policy & Administration, is to support or enhance education in the areas of human services, community development and related fields. The award will be made to one or more excellent students for tuition assistance, to provide travel opportunities, or for such other purposes as the Director may determine.
Qualifications: Recipient must be a student in the School of Public Policy Administration with a strong academic record, especially in the field of human services, community development, or a related field
Peter A. Larson Prize
A prize that is awarded to a School of Public Policy & Administration student whose paper is judged to be a significant contribution to fostering international understanding in the fields of urban affairs, public policy or public administration.
Qualifications: Recipient must be a student in, or a graduate within the past year, of the School of Public Policy & Administration with a strong academic record. (Please indicate the name of the paper.)
Pi Alpha Alpha
The University of Delaware hosts a chapter of the national honor society for Public Affairs and Administration. The top ten graduating MPA students are invited to join in the spring before they are due to graduate.
SPPA Excellence in Water Resources Scholarship Award
A medal that is awarded to a master’s degree candidate who demonstrates superior scholarship and interest in the field of water resources planning, management or policy.
Qualifications: Recipient must have a superior academic record (minimum 3.5 GPA) and demonstrated excellence and enthusiasm in the water resources field through published papers, projects, and/or presentations.
Student Association of Policy and Administration Award (SAPA)
SAPA will annually confer an award in recognition of exemplary service to a student of the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA). The award is to show appreciation to a single student, or students, for dedicated service within the student association. Student nominations will be reviewed by the SAPA Board and should be received by March 1. SAPA Officers will decide which nominations are passed on to the SPPA Recognition Board by March 7. Students must be currently enrolled at SPPA and in good academic standing with the University. Nominees will be evaluated on service within SAPA, the community, and their ability to raise the status of the SPPA. This award comes with a monetary value not to exceed $500. SAPA Officers are not eligible for the SAPA Award.
Vern Svatos Excellence in GIS Award
This award is presented to a full-time graduate student in SPPA who has demonstrated excellence in the use of Geographic Information Systems to advance public policy.
Qualifications: Recipient must be a master or doctoral student in the School of Public Policy & Administration who has demonstrated excellence in the use of GIS to advance public policy.