Awards
Congratulations to the 2025 award winners!
The Barry M. Goldwater Award (tie):
Dawn Moore Santiago, "Geography and Politics in New Mexico and Arizona: Economic Ties, 1750-1870."
Janolyn LoVecchio, "Estelle Bjerg: Arizona's Crusader for Women's Rights."
The Valeen T. Avery Collegiate Award:
Johanne Harrigan, "'With the intention to Procure the Miscarriage of any Woman'"
The Don Bufkin Award:
David Grasse, "They Called her Madam': The Life and Times of Eva Blanchard."
The highest priority is given to papers that demonstrate original research using primary sources, and all papers must be footnoted. Please do not submit a paper longer than 15 pages. The convention will hold paper award ceremonies every other year (during odd-number years). Papers presented during the even-number years are still eligible to receive an award during the odd-number year ceremony. For example, submissions to the 2026 mini-conference will be placed in a pool with submissions from the 2027 full conference and the winners will be announced at the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the 2027 Tempe conference.
Barry M. Goldwater Award
The top conference prize for best overall paper addressing Arizona History is offered in honor of the late Senator Barry Goldwater. All accepted papers are eligible for the $500 prize.
Valeen T. Avery Collegiate Award
A $250 prize will be awarded to the best paper on an Arizona topic by a college student (either graduate or undergraduate). Avery was a beloved professor at Northern Arizona University and this prize was established by her students. Please indicate your advising professor and institution on the completed paper.
Don Bufkin Award
A $250 prize goes to the best paper on Arizona's territorial period or its geography. All accepted papers are eligible. Bufkin was a reknowned geographer and this award was created to honor him in 1994 after his passing.
New Poster Award! AHC will offer our first-ever award for best poster in 2026. The winning poster will be determined by a vote of conference attendees and awarded with a $100 prize. The best poster contest will be held at each conference and the award presented at its conclusion.