The Sociology Department is committed to recognizing outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. To that end, the Sociology Department offers several awards that recognize undergraduate and graduate academic excellence, outstanding research, and excellence in teaching.
- The Irene Padavic Award for Sociological Imagination
- Outstanding Junior and Senior Awards
- Outstanding Undergraduate Paper Award
- Outstanding Research in Practice Awards
The Irene Padavic Award for Sociological Imagination
This award recognizes one undergraduate Sociology major or minor who can clearly demonstrate how sociological thinking has enriched their worldview, guided their academic journey, or informed their future plans—especially in understanding how men and women participate in our economy. Applicants should submit a one- to two-page, single-spaced narrative explaining how their Sociology coursework has shaped their perspective. Submissions must specifically engage the description above.
Submissions should be emailed to Dr. Teresa Roach (troach@fsu.edu) no later than Monday, March 30, 2026, by 5 p.m. Please put Irene Padavic Award in the subject line. The award winner will receive a monetary prize and a certificate of recognition at the Spring awards ceremony.
Outstanding Junior and Senior Awards
Awarded to one or two outstanding junior and senior Sociology majors. Junior/Senior students with a GPA of at least 3.0 are identified through nominations from faculty and instructors. Those who receive multiple nominations will advance in the process and comments of support from faculty will be solicited. The award winners will receive a monetary prize and a certificate of recognition at the Spring awards ceremony.
Outstanding Undergraduate Paper Award
This award is given to the undergraduate student paper that best employs a clear sociological perspective throughout the analysis. Students may submit course papers for review. The paper must be a sole – authored paper (no faculty authors or coauthors). Submissions should be emailed to Dr. Teresa Roach (troach@fsu.edu) no later than Monday, March 30, 2026, by 5 p.m. Please put Outstanding Undergraduate Paper Award in the subject line. The award winner will receive a monetary prize and a certificate of recognition at the Spring awards ceremony.
Outstanding Research in Practice Awards
This award is given to Sociology majors who have completed an Honors in the Major Thesis, Directed Independent Study, Internship or other undergraduate research experience in the last academic year. Students should submit a 1-page single-spaced narrative that speaks to their research during their Honors in the Major, Directed Independent Study, Internship, or other undergraduate research experience and how their sociology major enriched their undergraduate research experience. The final award winners will be chosen by the Undergraduate Program Committee. Those selected for this award will receive a certificate of recognition.