Established in 2007 by the Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology, this award is bestowed annually on the Willamette student who has written the best term paper (i.e., not a senior thesis) dealing with the ancient world. The paper must have been written for a class during the previous spring or fall semester and should demonstrate original thinking, excellent writing and research skills, and familiarity with the most important disciplinary conventions.  Prize Sum: $500.

Purpose and Proposed Mechanics of Annual Best Paper Award:

1) The award is dedicated to the memory of biblical scholar and Assyriologist Carl Sumner Knopf (1889-1942), who served as president of Willamette University from 1941-1942. As a prolific biblical scholar who combined his expertise in theological studies with interests in ancient history, Near Eastern archaeology, and Assyriology, Carl S. Knopf is an excellent example for the interdisciplinary nature of the area of research supported by the Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology.

2) The purpose of this award is to honor students who invest extra time and care in researching and writing about a topic that deals with the ancient world. It is hoped that this award will not only reward those students who are already doing superior work in their classes, but raise the quality of papers in ancient studies overall.

3) $500 will need to be set aside in the center’s annual budget in order to fund this award. [Long-term, we hope to find a donor who would be interested in endowing the award permanently.]

4) Papers may be submitted by Willamette students or, in consultation with the student author, by a faculty member on behalf of a student. The deadline for paper submissions is February 1. Papers are read anonymously by a committee of two to three CASA faculty members selected by the CASA director. Winners are announced by February 15 and should be encouraged to submit a paper to the Oregon Undergraduate Conference in Classics or to Willamette University's Student Scholarship Recognition Day, both in April.

Applications are due by February 25, 2008

Please return all materials to:
Andrea Carlson
Coordinator for the Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology
Willamette University
York/Lee Complex
900 State St.
Salem, OR 97301