Student Opportunities
Scholarships
The Tibor J. Bebek Memorial Scholarship was established in 1960 by Margaret W. Bebek in remembrance of her husband. It provides support to students in Political Science or History who demonstrate interest and success in the study of political philosophy. Preference is given to residents of the state of Maine, with awards given each spring. For further details, contact Professor Rob Ballingall, 111 Boudreau Hall.
The Judith Dawn Grant Memorial Scholarship was established in 1980 by family and friends of Judith Grant, a pre-law student. It provides support for junior or senior Political Science majors who will attend law school after receiving their degree from UM. Applications for the award are announced and accepted each spring. For further details contact Professor Mark Brewer, 113A Boudreau Hall.
The John Helmke Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 by family and friends in remembrance of Professor Helmke, who taught in the Political Science Department for many years. It provides support for outstanding students with a demonstrated financial need. Awards are given each spring. For further details, contact Professor Kristin Vekasi, 231 Boudreau Hall.
The James F. Horan Memorial Scholarship Fund was established at the University of Maine Foundation in 2006 for the benefit of University of Maine, Orono, Maine with memorial gifts from the family, friends and colleagues of James F. Horan. Dr. Horan was well known for his service and commitment to the community, church, his students and the University of Maine. It provides support for outstanding students with an interest and demonstrated capability in the sub-field of comparative politics. For further details, contact Professor Mark Brewer, 113A Boudreau Hall.
The Eugene A. Mawhinney Scholarship Fund was established in 2006 for the benefit of the University of Maine, Orono, Maine, with gifts in his memory from friends and family. It provides scholarship aid for deserving undergraduate students attending the University of Maine who are majoring in political science. Awards are given each spring. For further details contact Professor Timothy Cole.
The John Mitchell Nickerson University of Maine Scholarship Fund at the University of Maine at Orono was established in 2014 in the University of Maine Foundation with a bequest from John M. Nickerson, a member of the Class of 1959. This fund endows merit-based scholarships to be awarded to those juniors and seniors majoring in political science who are residents of the State of Maine, who have demonstrated scholarship of the highest order, and who have the greatest potential to serve the public unselfishly. Awards are given each spring. For further details, contact Professor Rob Glover, 113B Boudreau Hall.
The Walter S. Schoenberger Scholarship Fund was established in 1998 for the benefit of the University of Maine, Orono, Maine, with gifts in his memory from friends and family. It provides scholarship assistance for undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who are majoring in the International Affairs Program in the Political Science Department. The recipients shall have a financial need and a high academic standing. A preference shall be given to graduates of Maine high schools that are situated in Maine’s Second Congressional District. Awards are given each spring. For further details contact Professor Kristin Vekasi, 231 Boudreau Hall.
Awards
The Graton Constitutional Essay Contest was established in 1900 by the late Claude Dewing Graton, and has been held annually for many decades. Awards are given for the best essays written on a constitutional topic that is announced each spring. The contest is open to students in all disciplines. For further details, contact Professor Rob Ballingall, 111 Boudreau Hall.
An Outstanding Political Science Student and an Outstanding International Affairs/Political Science Student are selected by the Department of Political Science each spring, with the award going to the graduating senior with the best overall grade point average in their area of study. The awards are announced each spring. No applications are taken.
Study Abroad Opportunities
We strongly encourage students, particularly those with interests in comparative politics and international relations, to study abroad while at the University of Maine. There is truly an array of destinations and opportunities, and the study abroad staff at the Office of International Programs can work with you to determine a destination that aligns with your intellectual and personal aspirations. Here is a selection of some of the destinations where our political science students (and faculty) have gone abroad in recent years.
American University in Bulgaria
University of East Anglia (UK)
University of Mannheim (Germany)
University of Aberdeen (Scotland)
We also encourage students to consider the School for International Training (SIT), an immersive and interdisciplinary program with language and research/internship components in an array of locations throughout the world.
Political Film Collection
The Political Science Department maintains an extensive collection of films that deal with political themes. The films range from major Hollywood blockbusters to lesser-known documentaries and foreign films. Students may watch these films in N. Stevens Hall during the hours the departmental office is open (usually 8:00 am-3:30 pm during the academic year). Students will need to leave their Maine Card or driver’s license with the departmental assistant in order to check out a film.