Undergraduate students can apply for departmental scholarships for the next academic year. Faculty and staff serve on scholarship committees to pick the recipients. To learn more about the scholarships awarded visit this link. Congratulations to this year's recipients!
The Walter C. Connolly Endowed Award for Physics: Aeron McConnell
Please share a brief statement about your time in the department thus far.
Although this is only my first year at App, I already know that being a physics major was the right choice for me. I know this not because of the all of the exceptional opportunities and courses in the department, since there are many, but because of the people I have met in the department both students and professors.
What are your future academic or career plans and goals?
I intend to continue my education through graduate school to earn my master's degree and doctorate degree. After that I will get a job doing what I enjoy: solving hard problems.
The Karl C. Mamola Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Research: Nathaniel Scott
Please share a brief statement about your time in the department thus far.
I am an undergraduate student enrolled in the accelerated masters program hoping to get my masters in laboratory automation. For two and a half years, I have been a part of the laser tweezers Raman spectroscopy (LTRS) automation project in BiyOSeF. We have been automating several optical instruments to achieve an optimal alignment of the Raman signal to the detector under the mentorship of Dr. Burris and Dr. Hester. I have loved being able to do research as well as study under amazing professors throughout my years here.
What are your future academic or career plans and goals?
I have not yet decided whether I want to go into Industry or pursue a doctorate after completing my masters.
The Lloyd L. Hobbs Memorial Scholarship: Sabrina Miles
Please share a brief statement about your time in the department thus far.
My time in the physics program has been met with a warmness I never expected in this field. There are so many women in the department who inspire me and know about some of my particular struggles. My main mentor is Courtney McGahee, a respected professor in the physics and astronomy department, the new head of the graduate program, and also my personal academic advisor. She understands what it is like to struggle with working full time, while also being a full-time physics student, as she has a similar past to mine. She is incredibly helpful and relatable, and I feel endlessly blessed to have been able to work with her.
What are your future academic or career plans and goals?
Currently, I am about half way through my bachelors degree, but I have been aspiring towards the astrophysics profession for as long as I can remember. My idol has been the late Stephen Hawking since I was just a child, and though his passing was devastating to me, I power on to follow in his footsteps. In the long term, I would like to conduct and participate in the research of theoretical astrophysics, particularly that of black holes. I have another recent pique of interest-- observatory engineering, simply because I enjoy coding and mechanisms, but as of now, I do not believe this would be a long term profession for me.
The Andy Graham Lecture Demonstration Scholarship for Physics and Astronomy: F. Claire Brown
Please share a brief statement about your time in the department thus far.
I am a second year Applied Physics major with a minor in Mathematics and Astronomy. I work in the Biophysics and Optical Sciences Facility doing undergraduate research involving optical tweezers, as well as serving as the president of the Physics and Astronomy Club. I’m very lucky to be able to help the PandA club with our outreach events.
What are your future academic or career plans and goals?
My future plans include pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and then going on to work as a Mechanical Engineer in the Aerospace Industry.
The Jack and Roger Graham Endowed Scholarship for Physics and Astronomy: Ryan Chicosky
Please share a brief statement about your time in the department thus far.
I have been a physics major at Appalachian for the past three years and have never felt more welcomed by the individual professors and advisors. The material; though tough, has made me more informed on the inner workings of everyday life, from technology to the environment. Each colloquium has be interesting and entertaining, with a wide variety of knowledgeable speakers. The other students in the department have all been in a situation that involved helping someone else understand material leading to a group of leaders as well as teachers.
What are your future academic or career plans and goals?
I hope to stay and complete a masters' degree at Appalachian State in Systems and Laboratory Engineering. If possible I will try to obtain dual masters' degree in Renewable Energy Engineering. This road will hopefully lead me into working with solar panels and eventually micro-grids to help lead our society towards a green future.
The Laurance Brown Memorial Scholarship Endowment for Physics and Astronomy: Lia Phillips
Please share a brief statement about your time in the department thus far.
I transferred to Appalachian in Spring of 2018 and became active in the department as an undergraduate teaching assistant and got involved in SIE, a group for Students for Inclusive Excellence in STEM.
What are your future academic or career plans and goals?
I start the Accelerated Masters' program this fall and after graduation I hope to go on to study computational astronomy or enter the industry.
The Jeremy and Rebecca Ehret Scholarship in Physics and Astronomy: Stewart Fasolak
Please share a brief statement about your time in the department thus far.
I came to ASU with passion for physics and a strong desire for exposure to the principles of nature that constitute the Universe we live in. I never expected the depth of learning and opportunity that I have found through our department. Such as gaining an interest in astronomy and participation in outreach to help encourage future generations to pursue careers in science. I have had the opportunity to research and study under brilliant and well respected professors, and explore areas in the field of physics that have helped me to develop my goals and ambitions for the future.
What are your future academic or career plans and goals?
I am working towards acceptance into a PhD program in the field of physics and pursuing a career in high energy cosmology research.
