Robert A. Rothstein Prize Fund
About the Prize
The Robert A. Rothstein Prize Fund has been established in honor of Professor Robert Rothstein, who directed the Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies (REPS) Program at UMass Amherst and also held the Amesbury Professorship in Polish Language, Literature, and Culture. Over his tenure, Professor Rothstein educated generations of students; he taught Russian, Polish, and Yiddish as well as numerous courses in folklore and linguistics. He built ties with the local communities and instilled a love of languages and cultures on and off campus.
Eligibility
The Robert A. Rothstein Prize is given annually to one or more undergraduate students who have excelled in the Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies Program. Eligible students should demonstrate a sustained commitment to coursework, language acquisition, or cultural activities in the Program.
Award Selection
Students will submit an application for the prize via AcademicWorks in the spring semester, which will include a 500-word essay on their academic or cultural contributions to the program. Students are encouraged to submit a written paper, portfolio, or other materials to support their application. Selection of the annual winner(s) will be made by the REPS steering committee by the end of the semester.
Rothstein Prize Awardees
Bella Dragon
Bella Dragon ('25) is pursuing a degree in history and a double major in Russian Eurasian and Polish studies. She has been taking Polish for three years at UMASS and recently studied abroad at Jagiellonian University in Kraków Poland. During her undergraduate studies she has been focused on Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish history.
Michael Sabados and Joseph Fernández
Michael Sabados ('25) is working towards a double major in Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies and History. He had previously been a history major before he transferred to UMass following his Freshman year, drawn in by the REPS program. Joseph Fernández ('24) is a registered nurse and post-baccalaureate undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. in the Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies (REPS) program. Inspired by the cultural parallels between his Castilian-Spanish heritage and Russian traditions, he developed a deep passion for Russian language and culture.
Hannah Longo and David Ratin
Hannah Longo '26 is a sophomore at UMass Amherst pursuing a double major in Political Science and REPS and a journalism certificate. She has a passion for politics and history, specifically pertaining to the post-Soviet bloc. David Ratin '24 is graduating with dual degrees in Accounting and Russian, Eurasian and Polish Studies with minors in Economics, History, and Modern European Studies. He grew up in Newton, Massachusetts as a Russian heritage speaker.
Mia DePalma
Mia DePalma '23 is pursuing a dual degree in linguistics and history with minors in REPS and Italian studies as well as a certificate in medieval studies. She was inspired to pursue a minor in REPS after her first year of Russian classes and falling in love with the language.
Presley Forrest and Victoria Haskins
Presley Forrest lived for most of her life in Ukraine before coming to UMass. Throughout her time at UMass she has been deeply involved in student affairs and is currently on the university’s competitive debate team. She is also the president and founder of the Ukrainian club at UMass that has fundraised over $2,000 for various Ukrainian charities. Victoria Haskins is an undergraduate student at UMass Amherst majoring in sustainable community development with a concentration in climate change and green infrastructure. She grew up in Southborough, Massachusetts as a Polish heritage speaker and Polish-American dual citizen, which inspired her to pursue a minor in Russian, Eurasian, and Polish Studies.