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West Chester University 1871 Award

The 1871 Award was established in 2018 to recognize West Chester University juniors and seniors who are high-achieving in both the academic and co-curricular realms.  

Each year, up to 71 students will be honored for their outstanding accomplishments related to Academics, Leadership, Community Engagement, and Career Readiness.

Who is eligible to apply?

  • Undergraduate students who have completed at least 60 credits (30 of those must have been earned at WCU)
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
  • Must be in good standing with regard to personal and academic conduct

On what criteria will students be evaluated?

  • Academics (GPA): 25%
  • Leadership: 25%
  • Community Engagement: 25%
  • Career Readiness: 25%

View the selection criteria rubric here . 

What materials will be requested for the application?

  • Personal information (e.g., name, contact information, major)
  • Responses to five short-answer questions
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation:
    One must be from a WCU faculty or staff member, the second an individual of their choice (e.g., supervisor, mentor, advisor), but may NOT be another WCU student.
  • View the 1871 Award application

Complete the application  HERE

Who will evaluate the applicants?

Applications will be evaluated by a committee of WCU faculty and staff, as well as one student, representing the following areas:

 

  • Student Affairs senior leader (chair)
  • College of Arts & Humanities
  • College of Health Sciences
  • College of Business & Public Management
  • College of the Sciences & Mathematics
  • College of Education & Social Work
  • School of Music
  • Student Affairs staff members (2)
  • Student (senior, former 1871 Award recipient)
  • University College

How will award recipients be honored?

  • 1871 Award honorees will be recognized at a spring award ceremony that will be attended by WCU senior leadership.
  • They will receive a certificate and a special “1871 Award” pin.
  • They will receive a special designation next to their name within the commencement program.
  • Their names will also be published and archived on the WCU website.

What is the timeline for this process?

  • September: Call for nominations
  • October 25, 2020, 11:45 pm:  Deadline to apply
  • December: Selections made
  • January: Applicants notified
  • April 15, 2021:  Recipients honored at an award ceremony 

 List of Honorees

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Tanya Adkins

Yeseena Alli

Joseph Bevilacqua

Skylar Brightbill

Blair Broad

Kaitlyn Cannon

Barbara Chen

Carley Cirafesi

William Claudio

Amondo Clayton

Mitzi Colin Lopez

Katherine Cooney

Hannah Crespy

 

 

Emily Dwyer

Nebiyou Elias

Shannon Emery

Sydney Fritz

Erica Fus

Lauryn Gaston

Jessica Hazell

Allison Herbst

Madison Justice

Erin Kaliszak

Sophie Koval

Bianca Maggio

Dunya Markovic

 

Samantha Moser

Kathryn Mosser

Mae Prasch

Courtney Rothman

Elizabeth Schultz

Hayley Sholansky

Allison Short

Megan Streich

Julia Strohl

 Shreya Sukur

Hannah Wagner

Samantha Yothers

Amber Young

Mikayla Zeigler

 

 

2019 Honorees

 

 

2020 Honorees

 

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