The BYU–Hawaii History Department has been the host of the Kenneth W. Baldridge Prize for 18 years. The prize is given during the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society Regional Conference in honor of the emeritus professor of history, Kenneth W. Baldridge, who taught at BYU–Hawaii from the 1960’s to 1993. Nominees for the award are submitted to BYU–Hawaii faculty judges and administrators and the winner is announced during the regional conference, hosted by the University of Hawaii–Manoa. The judges choose the historian with the best book published.
In addition to honoring the emeritus professor, the conference has been a beneficial activity, connecting university history departments throughout the state. BYU–Hawaii students have also participated in the conference for 25 years. Professor Robert McGlone (University of Hawaii–Manoa) commented, “The Baldridge prize has come to be recognized as a measure of superior work. Its presentation at the annual meeting has added stature and credibility to Hawaii’s historical scholarships, work that otherwise might have been easily overlooked.”
The conference has been a great tool for BYU–Hawaii in strengthening relationships with other universities in Hawaii. It is a time when professors can engage in ideas and discussions in representing and developing greater content in the field of history for their departments. “I can confidently say that my personal interaction with other professional historians occurs because of the Baldridge prize and the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society organization” (James Tueller, BYU–Hawaii).
Professor Vina A. Lanzona was the recipient of the award for 2011. The title of her book is Amazons of the Huk Rebellion: Gender, Sex and Revolution in the Philippines.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Jim Tueller