Chemistry Scholarships and Awards

The following scholarships and awards are presented annually by the Department to undergraduate chemistry majors. Application forms are available in the Department or can be downloaded HERE.

P. D. Wilkinson Award

Awarded to the outstanding senior chemistry major, recognizing his or her accomplishments in chemistry and contributions to the Department.

Recipients: 2012 - George Fritch; 2011 - Elizabeth Neeley; 2010 - Tyler Fromm; 2009 - Peggy Williams

Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry

Sponsored by the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry and the journal Analytical Chemistry, and awarded to a student or students who display an aptitude for a career as an analytical chemist. Recipients receive an 6-month subscription to Analytical Chemistry.

Recipients: 2012 - Mathew Whitaker; 2011 - Eboni Duff; 2010 - Joseph Compton; 2009 - Breanna Wyman

Outstanding Achievement in Organic Chemistry Award

Awarded to a student or students to recognize outstanding academic achievement in CHEM 351/352.

Recipients: 2012 - Ben Hancock; 2011 - Derek Hennig; 2010 - George Fritch; 2009 - Breanna Wyman

CRC Press Chemistry Achievement Award

Awarded to a general chemistry student (major or non-major) to recognize outstanding academic achievement in chemistry. Recipients receive the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.

Recipients: 2012 - Evan Rush; 2011 - Ben Hancock; 2010 - Andy Kast; 2009 - Joseph Compton and George Fritch

Donald and Mary Jo Stanley Scholarships

(4-8 awards of $500-$1500): Usually awarded to majors who have demonstrated a commitment to the research programs of the Department.

This scholarship was established by Mary Jo Stanley in 1989 in memory of her husband, Donald Stanley. A native of Terre Haute, Mr. Stanley earned a Baccalaureate degree in 1931 and a Master's degree in 1945 from Indiana State. He was a teacher and principal at Fairmount High School prior to accepting a position as a food chemist with Campbell Soup Company. He retired from Campbell Soup in 1973 as Assistant Director of Project Standards. Mrs. Stanley is a native of Peru, Indiana, and was graduated from Chili High School and Central Business College. She was employed as a secretary by Peerless Electric Supply Company for many years, later retiring from the Indiana Employment Security Division after 28 years of service.

Recipients: 2012 - Kathleen Bitzel, Chelsea Elwood, Benjamin Hancock, Cody Pricket, Jessica Stanfield, Mathew Whitaker; 2011 - Chase Buchanan, Eboni Duff, Chelsea Elwood, George Fritch, Courtney Owen, Matthew Whitaker; 2010 - Chase Buchanan, Chelsea Elwood, Christopher Gagnon, Elizabeth Neeley, Kendall Seward; 2009 - Hannah Barnes, Joshua Brown, Tyler Fromm, Jordon Jacobs, Elizabeth Neeley, Patrick Titzer, Kiersten Yake, Mohammed Zaher

William H. Bell Award in Chemistry

(~$1000): Awarded to a major with superior performance in chemistry.

This scholarship was established by Mr. Bell who earned a bachelor of arts degree at ISU in 1917. He received a fellowship from Indiana University and completed the master of arts degree in 1918. He was a fellow in bacteriology at the University of Cincinnati (1919-1920) and earned the LL.B. degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1932. Mr. Bell was co-founder of the Coleman and Bell Company, Manufacturing Chemists, and served as president of the company when it was sold in 1952.

Recipients: 2012 - Kaitlyn Parsons; 2010 - Robert Compton, Eryn Hasenour; 2009 - Christopher Gagnon

D.J. Reuland Scholarship

(~$1000): Awarded to a major with superior performance in chemistry.

This scholarship was established by emeritus professor Donald J. Reuland. Dr. Reuland was a professor of chemistry at Indiana State University from 1964 until his retirement in 2001.

Recipients: 2012 - Robert Compton; 2011 - Joseph Compton; 2010 - Meredith Lewis; 2009 - Anna Coffey

Earl C. Smith Chemistry Award

(~$800): Awarded to a sophomore major for outstanding academic performance in general, organic, and analytical chemistry.

This award was established in December 1974 by Dr. and Mrs. Earl Cooper Smith. Dr. Smith's 42-year career in chemistry research and teaching concluded with 13 years (1959-1972) of teaching at Indiana State University. At the time of his retirement, he held the academic rank of Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Smith died in January, 1995.

Recipients: 2012 - Caitlyn East; 2011 - Kaitlyn Parsons; 2010 - Jeffery Tharp; 2009 - Henry Owegi

Leonard C. Smith Memorial Scholarship

(~$500): The recipient must have completed two years at ISU and have a demonstrated interest in biochemistry.

This scholarship was established in 1991 by Mary Elaine Smith, to honor the memory of her late husband. Dr. Leonard C. Smith received his bachelor's degree from the University of Montana and his doctorate from the University of Illinois. A research biochemist, he joined the Indiana State University faculty in the Department of Chemistry in 1966. He was also an adjunct professor in the Terre Haute Center for Medical Education in the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Smith died in January, 1990.

Recipients: 2011 - Meredith Lewis; 2010 - Joseph Compton; 2009 - Autumn Fuller

William B. Bunger Scholarship

(~$400): Awarded to a major with superior performance in chemistry.

This scholarship was established in 1985 by family and friends in memory of Dr. William B. Bunger. Dr. Bunger earned his B.S. degree from Washburn College and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Kansas State University where he entered the field of education in 1947 as an instructor. From 1949 to 1965 he served on the faculty at Auburn University, after which he joined Indiana State University as professor and chairman of the Department of Chemistry until his retirement in 1982. Dr. Bunger authored several books. He died in 1984 following an extended illness.

Recipients: 2012 - Evan O'Dea; 2011 - Katie Bitzel; 2010 - Henry Owegi; 2009 - Nicholas Eley

William G. Kessel Memorial Scholarship

(~$200): Awarded to an outstanding chemistry major.

This award was established in 1988 by family and friends to honor the memory of Dr. Kessel. He received his bachelor's degree from Franklin College, his master's degree from Purdue University, and his doctorate from Indiana University. Dr. Kessel taught several years at Wiley High School in Terre Haute before joining the faculty at Indiana State University. He was honored by the University with the Caleb Mills distinguished teaching award and also received the distinguished alumnus award from Franklin College. Active in community affairs, Dr. Kessel served on the Vigo County School Corporation Board of Trustees for 13 years, including a term as president of the board. He died in February, 1985.

Recipients: 2012 - Katherine Milsho; 2011 - Robert Compton; 2010 - Joshua Brown; 2009 - James Tingley

Eugene L. Herbst Chemistry Award

(~$200): Awarded to an outstanding chemistry major.

This scholarship is in memory of Eugene L. Herbst; Dr. Herbst was a chemistry professor at Indiana State University for 26 years, retiring in 1983. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in 1948 and his master's degree in 1949. He was a member of the American Association for Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society where he served as chairman of the Wabash Valley Chapter.

Recipients: 2012 - Seth Lutjemeyer; 2011 - Benjamin Bredhold; 2010 - Hannah Barnes; 2009 - Trever Jackson

P. D. Wilkinson Scholarship

(~$100): The recipient must be a full-time student who has a demonstrated financial need and receives no other awards.

This scholarship is made possible through a bequest by a distinguished ISU Department of Chemistry faculty member, Dr. Paul D. Wilkinson. Dr. Wilkinson has one of the longest records of service as a faculty member at Indiana State University. He served on the faculty forty-two years, from 1921 until his retirement in 1963. He died at the age of 85 in February, 1981.

Recipients: 2008 - Henry Owegi

Download a scholarship application form