Two graduate students were honored by the political science department for papers that they presented at professional meetings during the academic year 2008-2009.

The Colin Reed Manzer-Robert Wesson awards are given annually for best graduate papers in various categories. 

At the annual award ceremony on June 4, 2009, Stuart Gray was given the first place award for his paper presented at the Midwestern Political Science Association Meeting in Chicago, " Domesticating Differences."

Stuart Kasdin was runner-up for his paper co-authored with Joseph Cooper, "Winning a Mandate."