Honors Convocation

Chemistry and Chemical Biology Awards

Patricia A. Boaz Awards

Dr. Patricia A. Boaz’s passion was her students’ success. Named in her memory, this award is made to the graduating senior with the highest academic achievement in the Bachelor of Arts chemistry program.

Emerson D. Kilgore
Chemistry and Forensic & Investigative Sciences

Loren T. Jones Award

A former Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology chair, Dr. Loren T. Jones, is honored each year with this award. The recipient is a graduating senior with the highest academic achievement in the Bachelor of Science chemistry program.

Will E. Clark
Chemistry

Frank J. Welcher Award

Dr. Frank J. Welcher served the Department of Chemistry as its chair before IUPUI (now IU Indianapolis) was officially established. The award was established in Dr. Welcher’s honor by his wife, Helen Beasley Welcher, and is given to a graduating senior with the most outstanding professional promise.

Trinity Kiehl
Chemistry and Forensic & Investigative Sciences

American Institute of Chemists Student Research and Recognition Award

Awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in chemistry or biochemistry.

Ann Nahlen
Chemistry

Distributed Drug Discovery Award for Excellence in Organic Chemistry

Awarded to students who have shown outstanding academic performance in organic chemistry within the classroom and laboratory, mental attitude, and work ethic.

Vaishnavi Chouhan
Biology and Neuroscience

Theodore W. Cutshall Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Patricia Cutshall and family to honor her husband, Dr. Theodore W. Cutshall. The scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in chemistry in the School of Science who has completed and excelled in their organic chemistry research.

Alexander J. Morris
Chemistry

James R. McCarthy Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Dr. James R. McCarthy to honor his legacy and lifelong commitment to philanthropy, K-12 education, and higher education. The scholarship supports a promising undergraduate chemistry student who is pursuing a degree in the School of Science.

Diav’yon Eldridge
Chemistry

Bonner-Ferguson-Kelley Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student worker who has been engaged for at least two terms as a storeroom assistant, recitation instructor, or laboratory teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The awardee will have demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and have been an effective contributor to the department’s educational mission.

Harry Mann
Chemistry

Outstanding Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry Student

This award recognizes the outstanding undergraduate student in Analytical Chemistry.

Michael G. Esdon
Chemistry

Scott Alan Kent Memorial Scholarship

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Kent established this scholarship in memory of their son, Scott Alan Kent, who graduated with a degree in chemistry. This scholarship is awarded to a promising sophomore or junior chemistry major.

Colin Owens
Chemistry

Loren T. Jones Memorial Scholarship

In memory of Loren T. Jones, this award provides a summer research stipend to a continuing undergraduate student.

Michael A. Greenwald
Chemistry

CRC Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award

The CRC award recognizes the outstanding student in the freshmen chemistry courses.

Eva M. Spindler
Biology

Rich-Keller Elementary Chemistry Scholarship

Established by Dr. Erwin “Erv” Boschmann, this scholarship is awarded to a student who excels in the elementary chemistry lecture and laboratory courses (CHEM-C101 and CHEM-C121), and honors Dr. Ronald L. Rich and Dr. Raymond N. Keller, both of whom mentored the scholarship donor.

Maggie C. Evans
Neuroscience

O'Donnell Undergraduate Summer Research Scholaship

This scholarship will support one dedicated sophomore or junior chemistry major who is conducting research in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The recipient will have significant research experience at IU Indianapolis. The recipient’s mentor must be a full-time faculty member in the Department.

Lindsey R. Soruco
Chemistry

O'Donnell Graduate Chemistry Research Scholarship

This scholarship supports one continuing doctoral student who is conducting research in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The recipient’s mentor must be a full-time faculty member in the Department.

Kacy L. Black
Chemistry

Chemistry and Chemical Biology Graduate Dissertation Scholar

This award is given to an outstanding graduate student during the final year of their dissertation research.

Sarah R. Langlais
Chemistry

Graduate Student Leadership and Service Award

This award is given to a third or fourth year graduate student for extraordinary service and/or leadership to departmental activities and the profession. The recipient goes above and beyond the normal responsibilities as a graduate student.

Mikayla C. Metzger
Chemistry

Earth and Environmental Sciences Awards

Earth Sciences Alumni Scholarship

Established and supported by many earth sciences alumni, this scholarship is awarded to a student in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Ivey Ross
Environmental Science and Geology

Indiana Geology and Gem Scholarship

This scholarship is given to an environmental science or geology major at IU Indianapolis to further the student’s undergraduate degree program.

Lior Segal
Geology

Women in Geology (CACC Geology) Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes an outstanding female geology student who has studied volcanology or petrology.

Grace E. Gasaway
Geology

Drs. Arthur and Patricia Mirsky Undergraduate Scholarship

Drs. Arthur and Patricia S. Mirsky established this fellowship to support Earth Sciences students. This scholarship is a tribute to the more than 50 years the couple spent in education – he as the founder and former Chair of the Department of Geology, now Earth and Environmental Sciences, and she as the Director of Special Education and school psychologist in the Speedway school system.

Julianna R. Jera
Environmental Science

Sal Mahoney
Geology

Forensic & Investigative Sciences Awards

Jay A. Siegel Award

This award is given to the top student in FIS-I 205 Concepts of Forensic Science I in honor of Dr. Jay A. Siegel, Founding Director of the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program.

Mary A. Blankman
Forensic & Investigative Sciences

Dr. Jay A. Siegel Memorial Travel Scholarship

This scholarship supports students in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program who plan to attend or present at a scientific conference.

Laura M. Cross
Forensic & Investigative Sciences and Chemistry

Outstanding Research Award

This award is given to an outstanding student who has demonstrated excellence in research with commitment and desire to advance the field of forensic science.

Kayla N. Borowski
Forensic & Investigative Sciences and Biology

Academic Achievement Award

This award is given for outstanding academic achievement, including high GPA and challenging course enrollment.

Chastity U. Craig
Forensic & Investigative Sciences and Biology

Student Leadership Award

This award is presented to a student who has demonstrated leadership and service in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences (FIS) Program and/or the Forensic Science Club.

Alexis Zieminski
Forensic & Investigative Sciences

Teaching Assistant Award

This award honors a teaching assistant for outstanding teaching, for demonstrating superior ability to impart knowledge to students, and for stimulating students' desire to master these topics.

Taylor M. Loudemark
Forensic & Investigative Sciences and Chemistry

Charles (Chuck) Gould Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is named for Charles (Chuck) Gould, who was a Forensic and Investigative Sciences graduate student and an analyst with the Indianapolis Marion County Forensic Services Agency (IMCFSA). Established by his family in his memory, this scholarship supports a graduate student pursuing a degree in the Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program.

Rachel M. Bischoff
Forensic & Investigative Sciences

Elena Stirn
Forensic & Investigative Sciences

Ariana I. Zdobylak
Forensic & Investigative Sciences

Mathematical Sciences Awards

Yuri Abramovich Memorial Scholarship

Established by the family and friends of Dr. Yuri Abramovich, this scholarship commemorates Dr. Abramovich’s legacy as a colleague, mathematician and educator. This scholarship supports students who have a keen interest in the study of mathematics, who demonstrate academic excellence, especially in mathematics courses beyond the sophomore level, and who show promise for a career in mathematics.

Undergraduate

Julia W. Biesiada
Applied Mathematics

Graduate

Andrei A. Grigorev
Mathematics

Anna K. Suter Scholarship

Professor Anna K. Suter was an advocate for students, promoting academic success and encouraging many students to persist and achieve their degree objectives. This scholarship was established in her memory to support full-time undergraduate students, thus ensuring that the next generation of mathematicians would be recognized for their achievements.

Jordan Fryman
Actuarial Science

Daniel R. Johnson
Applied Mathematics

Arial T. Robertson
Actuarial Science

Madeline V. Smith
Mathematics

Lucas M. Wallen
Mathematics

Charalambos D. Aliprantis Prize

This award was established by Dr. Bart Ng, Dean Emeritus and Professor of the School of Science, to honor the memory of Dr. Charalambos D. “Roko” Aliprantis and his contributions to the development of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Dr. Aliprantis was a dedicated faculty member from 1974 through 1996 and contributed greatly to interdisciplinary research in mathematics. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding mathematics graduate students who exemplify outstanding scholastic achievements as well as leadership qualities.

Andrew M. Davis
Mathematics

Yuehui Xu
Mathematics

Cowen Graduate Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Dr. Carl Cowen and Janice Wheater-Cowen to honor and memorialize Janet Catherine Cowen for her lifelong commitment to philanthropy and education. This scholarship will support a promising graduate student who is pursuing a Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences.

Andrew M. Davis
Mathematics

Yuxin Dong
Mathematics

Noah R. Hout
Mathematics

Tajkera Khatun
Mathematics

Sumana Majumder
Mathematics

Dacota D. Sprague
Mathematics

Rodrigo Vaz Costa
Mathematics

Outstanding Beginning Mathematics Graduate Student Award

Noah R. Hout
Mathematics

Outstanding Advanced Mathematics Graduate Student Award

Kenta Miyahara
Mathematics

Outstanding Advanced Statistics Graduate Student Award

Jiayue Wang
Statistics

Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

Diyath N. Pannipitiya
Mathematics

Outstanding Senior Applied Math Major Award

Logan A. Evans
Mathematics and Physics

Outstanding Senior Math Education Major Award

Sora Kim
Math Teaching

Outstanding Senior Pure Math Major Award

Elijah H. Buck
Mathematics

Outstanding Master's Student in Computational Data Science Program Award

Dhiraj K. Pimparkar
Computational Data Science

Outstanding Master's Student in Statistics Program Award

Darren A. Dixon
Applied Statistics

Outstanding Math Assistance Center Tutor Award

Daniel Mitchell
Math Teaching

Math Major Spirit Award

Clara Pineda
Applied Statistics and Global & International Studies

Outstanding Mathematical Sciences Staff Award

Lisa L. Hastings-Smith
Mathematical Sciences

Bernie Morrel Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award

Grace C. Hamilton, M.S.
Mathematical Sciences

Bernie Morrel Full-Time Faculty Teaching Award

Clay Hicks, M.S.
Mathematical Sciences

Neuroscience Awards

Outstanding First-Generation Award

This award is made to a student who has a high GPA and has navigated their first year though the IU Indianapolis program.

Rachel C. Sarkine
Neuroscience and Biology

Neuroscience Spirit Award

This award is made to a student who has a high GPA and demonstrated a passion for neuroscience.

Makenna A. Collins
Neuroscience

Outstanding Academic Achievement Award

This award is made to a graduating senior for highest academic achievement in the neuroscience program at IU Indianapolis.

Mohamad A. Obeid
Neuroscience

Seth Sears Memorial Outstanding Service Award

This award is made to a graduating senior for considerable and outstanding service to the neuroscience program at IU Indianapolis.

John Venezia
Neuroscience

Dr. Bethany Neal-Beliveau Women in Neuroscience Award

This award is made to a graduating female student who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship, service and research.

Vaishnavi Chouhan
Neuroscience and Biology

Dr. Charles Goodlett Inquisitive Mind Award

Spencer J. Patterson
Neuroscience

Dr. Steve Boehm Young Scientist Award

This award is made to a student who has participated in addiction neuroscience undergraduate research.

Daniella N. Hagans
Neuroscience and Psychology

Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award

This award goes to a graduating neuroscience major who has extensively participated and excelled in research in the neurosciences.

Alan Santes-Diaz
Neuroscience

Psychology Awards

Robert G. Neel Award

Dr. Neel is a former chair of the Department of Psychology, and this award honors his many years of service to the School. This award recognizes a senior with the highest GPA.

Tyleigh A. Cates
Psychology

Robert I. Long Award

As department chair, Dr. Long made considerable contributions to the psychology program. This award is made to a graduating senior for excellence in leadership, research, and service.

Deborah Daluga
Psychology

John F. Kremer Undergraduate Mentor Award

Throughout his career, Dr. Kremer believed that peer mentors could have a powerful effect on student success in an introductory psychology class. This award is given to the peer mentor who best exemplifies the characteristics associated with this success: dedication, relentless persistence, creativity, enthusiasm, flexibility, and the ability to connect with all students.

Sadie L. Crozier
Psychology and Philosophy

Dr. Robert Stewart Memorial Scholarship

Dr. Stewart was an accomplished Research Scientist and later Senior Lecturer in Psychology from 1995–2020. As a scientist, Rob mentored many students in research. As an instructor, Rob made important contributions to the undergraduate teaching mission of Psychology. The Rob Stewart Memorial Scholarship not only celebrates Rob’s many contributions to teaching and mentoring, but also marks the considerable debt of gratitude that Rob’s students and colleagues owe him even today. This award is given to an accomplished first-generation Psychology major in their junior or senior year.

Sadie L. Crozier
Psychology and Philosophy

Undergraduate Research Award

This award is based upon the total papers accepted for publication, papers accepted for presentation, or amount of contribution by the student to research, especially in generating research ideas and in writing papers.

Abigail Bowers
Psychology

Outstanding Student Teaching Award

This award recognizes outstanding student teaching assistants for their superior ability to impart knowledge of chosen topics to students and to stimulate their desire to master such topics. The award recognizes that teaching extends beyond the classroom and includes activities such as mentoring and motivating of students, either formally or informally.

Kyle Blake
Psychology

Paul J. McKinley Award

This award is presented to a student in the Addiction Neuroscience doctoral program in memory of former student Paul J. McKinley.

Nicki Smith
Addiction Neuroscience

Garrett A. Winkler
Addiction Neuroscience

Clinical Psychology Excellence Award

This award recognizes a graduate student with outstanding performance in clinical work and training.

Ian W. Carson
Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychology Award for Service Excellence

This award recognizes a graduate student with outstanding performance in citizenship service to the department.

Christopher A. Crawford
Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychology Award for Research Excellence

This award recognizes a graduate student who goes above and beyond the research requirements of the graduate degree and shows outstanding performance in research.

Mahogany A. Monette
Clinical Psychology

Outstanding Clinical Practicum Supervisor Award

This award recognizes exemplary supervision and training provided to graduate students in clinical psychology who are engaged in clinical practice.

Stephanie E. Hullmann, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychiatry and Clinical Pediatrics

2025 "Elite 50" – Graduate Science Majors

Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, the IU Indianapolis Graduate School, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Graduate and Professional Student Government, the “Elite 50” honors graduate and professional students who demonstrate excellence beyond the classroom – in areas such as campus leadership, scholarly work, and community engagement. Honorees represent the best of the over 8,000 graduate and professional students at IU Indianapolis.

This year's Elite 50 includes two students from the School of Science.

Priyadharshini Manikandan
Biology

Kourtney Sloan
Biology

2025 "Top 100" – Undergraduate Science Majors

Each year, IU Indianapolis honors 100 outstanding undergraduate students (juniors and seniors) who demonstrate excellence in three categories – academic performance, campus leadership, and community engagement. These “Top 100” students represent everything that makes IU Indianapolis exceptional.

This year's Top 100 includes 49 students from the School of Science.