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.

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.