Each year the Department of Physics & Astronomy presents a number of scholarships to several of our incoming freshman as well as to some of the outstanding continuing physics majors.

• Presidential Scholarship: Each year, two scholarships are funded by the Department of Physics & Astronomy to provide full in-state tuition for entering Freshmen. To be eligible, the student must apply to JMU by January 1, take the scholarship exam, and clearly indicate that Physics is their intended major.
• J. Robert Gordon Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established with generous gifts from Walter Curt of SEI, Inc. (JMU '85) and Raymond Serway (Department Head '80-'86) to honor long time faculty and Department Head ('78-'80, '95-'01) Dr. J. Robert Gordon who retired in 2001. The selected student will receive approximately $1500/semester for the Freshman year. To be eligible, the student must apply to JMU by January 1, take the scholarship exam, and clearly indicate that Physics is their intended major. 
• Second Century Scholarship: This highly competitive four-year scholarship is open to first-year students enrolling in a designated STEM major and provide 100% coverage of in-state tuition for four years. To learn more about this scholarship, visit the STEM Scholarships page. 

• Chodrow Memorial Scholarship: This endowment is for upperclass physics majors and is designed to help students receive careers in phyics. The endowment was created in honor of former physics professor Dr. Don Chodrow. 
• Raymond A. & Elizabeth A. Serway Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established with the generous support Raymond Serway (Department Head '80-'86) in conjunction with the Saunders College Publishing Company. A scholarship of up to $1000 is awarded to a sophomore or junior physics major to be used toward educational expenses in the following academic year. The award is based on the student's JMU academic record. A faculty committee selects one or more recipients each year. 
• Henry W. Leap Physics Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established in memory of former Physics Department staff member Henry W. Leap. A scholarship of up to $1000 is awarded to a sophomore or junior physics major to be used toward educational expenses in the following academic year. The award is based on the student's JMU academic record. A faculty committee selects one or more recipients each year.
• Physics Alumni/Faculty Scholarship: This endowed scholarship was established using donations from Physics Department alumni and faculty. A scholarship of up to $1,000 is awarded to a sophomore or junior physics major to be used toward educational expenses in the following academic year. The award is based on the student's JMU academic record. A faculty committee selects one or more recipients.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy recognizes annually its outstanding academic students, researchers, and contributions to departmental teaching and service.

• Outstanding Junior and Senior: Recognizes the strong academic achievement of one junior and one senior. 
• Outstanding Research: Awarded to the student with the strongest research and scholarship. 
• Outstanding Teacher: Presented to the laboratory assistant whose contributions to curriculum at JMU are the most exemplary.
• Departmental Service: Recognizes the student who contributes most substantially to departmental activities.
• Planetarium Service: Recognizes the student who contributes most substantially to John C. Wells Planetarium activities.

Our faculty excel in many areas of their work as educators and scholars. Their outstanding abilities are on display every day in their classrooms and labs, and their accomplishments are celebrated through local, national, and international recognition. Visit our CSM Faculty Awards and Recognition page for information on our college-wide faculty awards.