The Bernie L. Herman Prize for Outstanding Graduate Achievement in Material Culture Studies
Bernie L. Herman was the architect in the creation of UD’s Center for Material Culture Studies (CMCS) and its founding director. An internationally renowned scholar of material culture studies, vernacular architecture, outsider art, and southern foodways, he was deeply devoted to his graduate students, and this award honors his tremendous impact on the field. Thanks to his efforts, the CMCS has advanced material culture theory and practice since 2000 through a robust slate of interdisciplinary conferences, funding opportunities, and educational programs.
In Herman’s honor, CMCS will offer an annual prize of $1,000 to an outstanding capstone graduate project (MA thesis or qualifying paper, MFA supporting paper, or Doctoral Dissertation) focusing on material culture studies. The project must demonstrate the qualities that characterized Dr. Bernie Herman’s scholarship: thematic and methodological originality, scholarly rigor, and eloquent prose.
Each department may submit one nomination to the prize committee. Nominations must be received by April 15, 2026.