Undergraduate Awards
Each spring, the Department of Political Science recognizes graduating seniors in the Political Science and International Studies programs who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Students are honored at a formal awards ceremony featuring remarks from a distinguished alumni speaker, followed by a reception celebrating their achievements.
Richard D. Huff Distinguished Student Awards
The Richard D. Huff Distinguished Student Award is presented each year to one graduate from the Political Science program and one from International Studies. Supported by a generous gift from the Huff estate, the award recognizes exceptional academic achievement and dedication to the field.
Richard D. Huff graduated from Baylor University in 1969 with a degree in Political Science. He earned his law degree from Duke University and began his legal career at Fulbright and Jaworski in Houston. After serving four years in the United States Air Force as an officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, he returned to Houston, where he became a leading expert in municipal law. Huff represented the City of Houston on major bond projects, including the Minute Maid Park stadium, and was a frequent speaker on public finance.
While at Baylor, Huff studied under Robert Miller, then Chair of the Department of Political Science, and formed a lasting friendship with him and his wife, Ann Miller of the English Department. Following Miller’s passing, Huff established this award in his mentor’s honor, noting that Miller “taught him more about Constitutional law than he ever learned in law school,” cared deeply about his students, and was “the consummate gentleman.”
These awards honor his memory.
Keynote Speaker
The 2025 Undergraduate Awards Ceremony featured Elizabeth “BB” Sanford as the keynote speaker.
Sanford earned her B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Spanish from Baylor University and her J.D. from Baylor Law School. She was named Baylor University’s Young Alumna of the Year in 2025.
To view and download pictures from the ceremony, please click here.
Richard D. Huff Distinguished Student
in Political Science
Danielle Miller
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Why Political Science? I learned to love policy research through competing in policy debate in high school. I also gain a better understand of philosophy (my other major!) when I study the situations in which answers to abstract questions such as "what is justice?" have practical, measurable effects.
Favorite Class? Dr. Richard Jordan's class on War, Politics, and Literature, and Dr. David Corey's class on Conservatism
Post-Graduations plans? I will be working for the technology initiative of the Institute for Family Studies in Washington, DC
Advise for future students? Find a professor who is wise, and take whatever class they teach, no matter the subject. Ask every upperclassman you meet who their favorite professors are. In the humanities, disciplines overlap so much and professor quality varies so much that you can often learn more indirectly about a discipline from a good professor than you can learn about it directly from a bad professor.
Richard D. Huff Distinguished Student
in International Studies
Josh Browder
Hometown: Norman, Oklahoma
Why International Studies? I came to Baylor with a vague interest in strategy and foreign languages. After taking Fundamentals of International Politics with Dr. Jordan and Comparative Government with Dr. Hamerly in my first couple of semesters, I saw how the IST department was shaping these interests into a passion for understanding international perspectives and promoting bridge-building across cultures.
Favorite Class? Grand Strategy with Dr. Jordan
Post-Graduation plans? I will pursue a master's in International Affairs
Advice for future students? Take the time to get to know your professors! They will be some of your biggest supporters at Baylor and want nothing more than to see you flourish.
2026 Outstanding Political Science Students
Joshua Barry |
| Angela Bartolone |
| Gianna Bolla |
Marguerite Boudreaux |
| Shawn Brower |
| Gracie Brown |
Shauntia Caruso |
| Michael Chung |
| Bryce Burt |
Hailey Coates |
| Bianca Curiel |
| Anna Dusek |
Kenley Everett |
| Jazmine Fajardo |
| Natalie Fakhriravari |
Grace Fitch |
| Lindsay Flanigan |
| Jessica Frausto |
Daniela Frealy |
| Matthew Gehman |
| Nikolas Gillaspie |
Ava Gonzales |
| Brando Guerra |
| Christina Ikhbeis |
Madeleine Johnson |
| Olivia La Porte |
| Katherine Mickelson |
Danielle Miller |
| Madelyn Miller |
| Leah Murray |
Maura Okula |
| Griffin O'Neill |
| Luke Pelser |
Berkley Ponce |
| Mikhalia Ranglin |
| Lindsay Raugh |
Sonora Rieger |
| Katelyn Robuck |
| Bianca Shah |
Isabella Shelton |
| Grace Steenbergen |
| Hunter Stegman |
Hunter Steigerwald |
| Laura Thomas |
| Naina Uppal |
Delaney Variale |
| Isabella Vennare |
| Lily Ward |
Nathan Weis |
| Taylor West |
| Benjamin Williamson |
Asher Wood |
| Faith Yeargain |
| Spencer Yim |
2026 Outstanding International Studies Students
Diannah Abarca |
| Elaine Adams |
| Cadence Ames |
Eva Brandt |
| Joshua Browder |
| Rose Dickenson |
Rajiv Edara |
| Elizabeth Gijsbertsen |
| Josephine Gravelle |
Frances Hatley |
| Lilia Kasten |
| Victoria Leidwinger |
Ava Martin |
| Devynn Martin |
| Victoria Ogundipe |
Madeline Peacock |
| Jeremiah Seng |
| Sidney Smith |
Walker Snider |
| Melani Soto Helms |
| Katie Turner |