University of Richmond

Scholarships & Awards

The following scholarships and awards are given annually to majors in the Department of Rhetoric & Communication Studies. Students are eligible to apply after their first year. Applicants are considered on the basis of academic performance, dedication to rhetoric and communication studies, merit and financial aid.

Academic Excellence Awards
Established in 2003, these awards are given to graduating seniors who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 or higher. Recipients of the award receive certificates and recognition at the RHCS annual awards program, The Laureate, held each April.

Debate Awards
The director of debate recognizes outstanding members of the Debate Team at The Laureate, with plaques and trophies for:

  • Most Improved Debater
  • Most Outstanding Debater
  • Most Outstanding Novice Debater
  • Most Outstanding Junior Varsity Debater
  • Dr. David Thomas Coach’s Award
  • Researcher of the Year

Elizabeth Rae Hodkinson Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1975 as a memorial to Mrs. Elizabeth Rae Hodkinson who served as a hostess at Westhampton College for ten years. Students applying for the scholarship must be rising junior or senior RHCS majors with a GPA above 3.0 and must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the University’s Office of Financial Aid. The call for applicants goes out in February or March, and the amount of the award and number of recipients varies yearly. Criteria considered in the final selection of the awardee(s) are:

  • Grade point average
  • Ability or potential to contribute to the work of the Department of RHCS
  • Interest in engaging in service to the University and/or Richmond community

Honor Cords
Members of the RHCS honor society, Lambda Pi Eta and students graduating with Departmental Honors (having spent two semesters completing Honors Thesis Writing projects) are approved to wear honor cords at graduation. Lambda Pi Eta cords are gold and Departmental Honors cords are silver.

Honors in Undergraduate Research
Students who have written research papers as coursework, independent studies or in collaboration with RHCS professors are recognized with certificates at The Laureate. Some students also may have presented their research at the RHCS Student Colloquy, the School of Arts & Sciences’ Student Symposium or at an undergraduate conference of the RHCS professional organizations, such as the DePauw and Southern States annual conferences.

Leadership Award
By vote of the RHCS faculty, one major in the department receives this award at The Laureate each year. The student chosen will have demonstrated outstanding leadership both within the RHCS discipline and in the broader University community.

Lexicon Award
This award, given to one RHCS major each year, was established in memory of Larry Witkos, an RHCS major who died of leukemia one week before he would have carried the mace at graduation. Early in his Richmond career, Larry wrote a dictionary, “The Lexicon,” a copy of which is given to the winner of this award. The criterion for winning the award is to possess similar qualities to Larry Witkos, as determined by RHCS faculty who knew and taught him.

Voice of the University Award
The recipient of this annual non-student award is voted upon by RHCS faculty and staff and is selected for being a “voice” that represents the University in an outstanding manner. The surprise announcement of the winner is made at The Laureate. Past winners of this award include

  • Lee K. Stevens, Humanities Librarian, Boatwright Library
  • Amy L. Howard, Associate Director, Center for Civic Engagement
  • David Burhans, University Chaplain
  • Jim Reid, Assistant Athletic Director, Head Football Coach

Brittany Robertson Loyalty Award
In 2007, the Department of RHCS created this award, presented to a student who has demonstrated outstanding service, commitment and dedication to the Speech Center. Brittany Roberston’07 received the first award.