Mary C. Turpie Prize
The Mary C. Turpie Prize, established in 1993, is given to the candidate who has demonstrated outstanding abilities and achievement in American studies teaching, advising, and program development at the local or regional level. Recipients of the award receive lifetime membership in the association and recognition at our annual meeting.
Eligibility Requirements
Current ASA members who have demonstrated ability and achievement in American studies teaching, advising, and program development at the local or regional level.
Please note: this prize is only awarded in even-numbered years.
Nomination Instructions
NOMINATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2026 by 11:59 pm PT
Please submit the following materials as a single PDF using the nomination form linked below. The nominator should coordinate compilation of all application materials so as not to burden the nominee.
- Nominee’s CV
- Nomination letter/statement (2 pages max)
- Letters of recommendation (2 letters max): Multiple signatories on letters are encouraged
Anyone can submit a nomination on an ASA member’s behalf. Individuals can also apply, or self-nominate.
Please contact asastaff<at>theasa.net with questions.
Award Namesake
This award honors Mary C. Turpie, an early pioneer in American studies scholarship. Turpie was a long-time faculty member in the American Studies department at the University of Minnesota where she contributed to the development of American studies pedagogy, departments, and scholars through intensive mentorship and advising. She advised over a hundred students at any given time while presiding over dozens of dissertation projects.
Prize Recipients
- 2024: Sarah Gualtieri, University of Southern California
- 2022: Christine Hong, University of California, Santa Cruz
- 2021: No selection
- 2020: No selection
- 2019: Patrick McGreevy, American University of Beirut
- 2018: Matthew J. Mancini, Saint Louis University
- 2017: Jean-Christophe Agnew, Yale University
- 2016: Robert Rydell, Montana State University
- 2015: No selection
- 2014: Melody Graulich, Utah State University
- 2013: Joy Kasson, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- 2012: Alan Wald, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- 2011: Thomas Vernon Reed, Washington State University
- 2010: Matthew Pratt Guterl, Indiana University
- 2009: Vera Norwood, University of New Mexico
- 2008: Maria Irene Ramalho de Sousa Santos, University of Coimbra, Portugal
- 2007: James Salem, University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa
- 2006: Michael Steiner, California State University, Fullerton
- 2005: Joanna S. Zangrando, Skidmore College
- 2004: Norman R. Yetman, University of Kansas
- 2003: Daniel Horowitz, Smith College
- 2002: Eric J. Sandeen, University of Wyoming
- 2001: Robert A. Gross, College of William and Mary
- 2000: Jesper Rosenmeier, Tufts University
- 1999: Simon Bronner, Pennsylvania State University
- 1998: Jay E. Mechling, University of California, Davis
- 1997: Michael Aaron Rockland, Rutgers University
- 1997: Lois P. Rudnick, University of Massachusetts, Boston
- 1996: Alma Payne, Bowling Green State University
- 1995: Richard Slotkin, Wesleyan University
- 1994: Paul R. Baker, New York University
- 1994: Charles Bassett, Colby College