Physics Scholarships and Awards

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

Donald and Mary Jo Stanley Scholarships

(Usually three awards of $1000 each)

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 - Jason Bonacum, Frank Hull; 2011 - Jason Bonacum, Kelly Loman, Daniel Moser; 2010 - Kelly Loman, Daniel Moser, Courtney Owen; 2009 - Malorie Stowe, Heather Stout, Kelly Loman, Daniel Moser

Physics Foundation Scholarship

(~$1000): Awarded to an outstanding physics major.

Recipients: 2012 - Kirsten Middleton, Austin Schulthies, Kevin Waters; 2011 - Eryn Hasenour, Kirsten Middleton, Tyler Pazik, Kevin Waters; 2010 - Andrew Beaven, Eryn Hasenour, Jase Hixson, Kevin Waters; 2009 - Samantha Henry, Nicholas Tacker

John McCarthy Outstanding Junior Award

(~$200): Awarded to a junior physics major for outstanding academic performance.

Professor McCarthy, a former high school physics teacher and member of the ISU faculty for 27 years, was committed to excellence in teaching. His family and friends, in recognition of his contributions, established the John McCarthy Scholarship Fund to assist a worthy recipient in achieving his/her goals with the same high standard of performance reflected in Professor McCarthy's teaching career.

Recipients: 2012 - Kevin Waters; 2011 - Eryn Hasenour; 2010 - Daniel Moser; 2009 - Andrew Beaven

Gary Erwin Memorial Award

(~$100-$200): Awarded to a physics major who demonstrates superior performance.

This scholarship fund was established in 1990 in memory of Gary Erwin who died December 18, 1989. It was established by his wife, Barbara, daughters Cyndi and Alexis, family and friends. Gary began his education at Indiana State University in 1964 as one of the first students in pre-engineering. After completing an EE degree at Purdue, he was the first pre-engineering student to become a practicing engineer. Gary returned to ISU during the 1970's and completed a Master of Science degree in Physics. During his career Gary worked in medical research at Fort Knox, Kentucky; he was a production engineer improving cassette tape duplication processes; he designed digital test equipment; and he worked as a production engineer in the computer industry. Gary also taught electronics courses at Ivy Tech in Terre Haute.

Recipients: 2012 - Jason Bonacum

Outstanding Graduating Senior Award

Awarded to the outstanding graduating senior physics major, recognizing his or her accomplishments in physics and contributions to the Department. Each year the recipient is recognized at the College of Arts and Sciences awards ceremony in the spring.

Recipients: 2012 - Daniel Moser; 2011 - Andrew Beaven; 2010 - Samantha Henry; 2009 - Mathew Hollinger

Outstanding Physics Teaching Assistant

Recipients: 2012 - Eryn Hasenour; 2011 - Daniel Moser; 2010 - Malorie Stowe; 2009 - Samantha Henry, Alec O'Neal

Best Student in Modern Physics Award

Awarded to a student or students to recognize outstanding academic performance in PHYS 215/216.

Recipients: 2012 - Jason Bonacum; 2011 - Eryn Hasenour

Download a scholarship application form