Scholarships & Awards

This award, established in memory of a colleague who devoted her career to the prevention of sexual assault, is given each spring for the writer of an outstanding essay on a related topic.

This annual student writing competition honors the memory of Professor Jody Esper, who devoted her career to the prevention of sexual assault. The award is open to all majors and is given each spring for the writer of an outstanding essay on issues related to sexual assault education, awareness, and prevention.

The winner of this contest receives $50 and recognition at the annual Spring Conference along with a certificate. The winner’s name is placed on a plaque on display in Wesemann Hall. The winning submission is published on the department website each year.

The paper may be either a review of research, a persuasive essay, or an account of personal experience. Suggested possible topics include:

• Sexual assault education and awareness
• Sexual harassment
• Date rape drugs
• Sexual assault prevention
• Gender communications
• Gender equity
• Healthy gender relationships
• LGBTQ+ identities
• Social justice

Submission Guidelines

• Submission Deadline: April 15
• Paper Length: Approximately five double-spaced pages
• Student Info: State your major, class standing, activities, and other info about yourself that you would like to be included in the award ceremony
• Procedure: Papers must be emailed as a Microsoft Word attachment to Wendy Paterson, the department’s administrative assistant ().

This award honors the life and work of Jody Esper, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of psychology at Valparaiso University from 1985 until her passing in 2002. Professor Esper devoted much of her career to the prevention of sexual assault and the assistance of survivors of sexual assault. Among her many activities in this area, Professor Esper organized the first Take Back the Night event and she played a leadership role in establishing the Sexual Assault Awareness and Facilitative Education (SAAFE) Office at Valparaiso University.

Students may participate in this competition as a way to honor Jody Esper’s memory and further advance her pioneering efforts to prevent sexual assault in our community.

The psychological sciences and counseling department solicits applications for this award in memory of the parents of Professor Jim Nelson, and it will be carried on by Dr. Nelson past his retirement. It is designed to recognize and promote undergraduate students’ contribution to research. The recipient of this award receives a $1,000 scholarship and has the opportunity to work with Dr. Nelson on a project related to psychology and religion, neuroscience, or clinical psychology. This award is open to freshman, sophomore or junior psychology majors. The recipient is recognized at our annual spring conference and also receives a certificate and their name on a plaque on display in Wesemann Hall.

Award Criteria

• Psychology major – current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
• Demonstrated interest in issues related to religion and psychology
• Additional information requested on application form

This award is given annually to the outstanding psychology student to honor the memory of Rudolph (Rod) Waldschmidt, founder and longtime chair of the department.

Candidates are invited to submit an application by the department awards committee following a review of the criteria listed below. The recipient receives $100 and is recognized at the annual Spring Picnic. The student also receives a certificate, and her or his name is placed on a plaque on display in the psychological sciences and counseling department.

Award Criteria

• Senior status (or 25+ credits in psychology)
• 3.75 GPA
• Evidence of scholarship outside the classroom (e.g., independent research)
• Service to the psychological sciences and counseling department (e.g., teaching assistant or tutoring)
• Service to the campus community
• Personal statement requested with application