Since 1980, the Department of History at the University of California, Riverside, has published Cornerstone as a way of showcasing the best research papers written by undergraduate students for courses within the Department of History. These papers are chosen by an editorial committee consisting of graduate students from within the Department of History, supported by members of the faculty and staff. Included for publication are the winners of four prizes for undergraduate historical research: the Peter Schneider Award in American History; the Sterling Stuckey Award in African American history; the Thomas and Evelyn Gahn Prize for outstanding potential in original historical research; and the Cornerstone Award, conferred to the best essay of the year within the collection.