A-to-Z Index

Biology Awards



Each spring the Department presents a number of awards, listed below, to some of the many outstanding biology majors. The Department also offers a number of scholarships to current and prospective students.  There are also a number of College-wide and University-wide scholarships and awards.  Students also receive awards and scholarships from outside sources

CSM Outstanding Senior Award               

2013 Recipient: Chelsea Cockburn (Biology), Laura Lorenz (Biotechnology)

Description:  The Outstanding Senior Award is intended to recognize a senior who has achieved a strong academic record, who may have demonstrated creativity through research experiences or other accomplishment and who has also been recognized as a citizen, playing a role in their department or the university or beyond that demonstrates service.  Nominations should speak to the student's academic accomplishments, the significance of their work and the quality of their service.  Nominations are to be submitted by department heads or by the chair of the department's awards committees. Each department in the college may nominate one graduating senior for the award. The recipient is given a plaque and a check for $100 at the College of Science and Mathematics awards presentation in the spring.

Excellence in Biology Award

2013 Recipients: Kassim Rahawi, Lauren Siewertsz van Reesema, Jonah Williams, Seana Sears, Taylor Evans

Description:  Awarded anually by the Biology Department faculty to senior Biology major(s) who have demonstrated academic excellence in Biology.  Awardees receive $100 and a plaque at the College of Science and Mathematics awards presentation in the spring.

Excellence in Biotechnology Award

2013 Recipients: Michael Metrick, Russell Green

Description:  Awarded anually by the Biology Department faculty to senior Biotechnology major(s) who have demonstrated academic excellence in Biology.  Awardees receive $100 and a plaque at the College of Science and Mathematics awards presentation in the spring.

Margaret A. Gordon Memorial Scholarships       

2013 Recipients: Bejan Rasoul, Jessica Holland, Laura Lorenz, Lauren Siewertsz van Reesema, Michael Metrick, Sinead Gilmore, Joanna Gardiner, Lena Husnay, Chelsea Cockburn

Description:  These awards honor outstanding research accomplishments by undergraduate students.  Candidates are nominated by their faculty mentor via a letter to the Department Awards Committee.  Awardees receive $100 and a plaque at the College of Science and Mathematics awards presentation in the spring. 

History: Established in 1985 in memory of Margaret Gordon, a deceased faculty member, by her family and friends to support a scholarship in the Biology Department.  

 

Tri-Beta Outstanding Junior Award         

2013 Recipient: Joseph Balsamo, Courtney Matson

Description:  This award is presented to a Junior Biology major with an outstanding record of academic achievement.  The recipient is selected by the executive committee of Beta Beta Beta, the Biology Honor Society, and presented at the College of Science and Mathematics awards presentation in the spring.

 

Peter T. Nielsen Award for Botanical Studies      

2013 Recipient:  Jamie Smith

Description:  This award of $1,250 is presented annually.  Nominations are made by faculty members and selection is made by a committee of plant biology faculty members.  Candidates will have an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.00, a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 within the major area of study, and will be pursuing studies in botanical science.  The award is intended to recruit a graduate student or, should an eligible graduate student not be available, to reward an outstanding undergraduate student in plant biology.

History:  Established in 2003 by Anne W. Nielsen in memory of her husband, Dr. Peter T. Neilsen, an emeritus faculty member from the Department of Biology at JMU.  Dr. Nielsen taught Plant Physiology and Botany courses at JMU from 1970 to 1991 and conducted research on the physiology of Lemna, a small aquatic flowering plant.

 

Excellence in Teaching Award    

2013 Recipients: Lena Husnay, Lauren Schulte, Chelsea Cockburn, Christopher Romeo, Jane Welch, Andrew Montgomery, Joseph Balsamo, McKenzie Quinn, Amber Sauder, Phillip Gray

Description:  Awarded by the Biology Department faculty to senior Biology major student(s) who have demonstrated excellence in teaching biology.  Nominations are solicited from the Biology faculty.  Awardees receive $100 and a plaque at the college awards presentation in the spring.

 

Excellence in Service     

2013 Recipient: Chelsea Cockburn

Description:  Awarded by the Biology Department faculty to senior Biology major student(s) who have demonstrated excellence in service to the Department of Biology.  Nominations are solicited from the Biology faculty.  Awardees receive $100 and a plaque at the college awards presentation in the spring.

 

Dr. Norlyn L. Bodkin Scholarship for Arboretum and Botanical Field Studies        

2013 Recipient: Jessie Ward

 

 Previous Recipients (2002-2013)