Department of Physics and Astronomy

Scholarships, Awards, and Senior Recognition

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Department Undergraduate Scholarships

Apply through the Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP) at asap.appstate.edu during the application window of December 1 through February 7.

The J. W. Byrd Outstanding Senior Award

Established in 1998, this is awarded to physics majors who have been judged by the Department of Physics and Astronomy to (a) be of excellent character, (b) have compiled a truly exceptional academic record in physics, and (c) have the motivation, work habits, and personal characteristics which indicate a high potential for an outstanding career in a physics-related field.

The Walter C. Connolly Endowed Award for Physics

Established in 1995, this endowment award is in honor of Walter C. Connolly who was the first chair of the Department of Physics. He was a member of the faculty from 1963 to 1992. The award will be given to an outstanding physics major(s) who has completed PHY 2010 and PHY 2020. [More about Walter C. Connolly]

The Karl C. Mamola Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Physics and Astronomy Research

Established in 1999, this award is for (1) students majoring in physics who have an outstanding academic record, (2) students who have carried out or been a major contributor to scientific research in the fields of physics and/or astronomy, the results of which have been or are currently in the process of being disseminated to the scientific community through publication in a scientific journal and/or presentation at a regional or national meeting. (3) Recipients must demonstrate excellent character as determined by the selection committee.

The Lloyd L. Hobbs Memorial Scholarship

Established in 1996, this endowed scholarship was established as a memorial to Lloyd L. Hobbs by Mrs. Ella T. Hobbs. Recipients must be rising juniors or seniors who demonstrate and maintain satisfactory academic progress by having a 3.0 grade point average. In addition, recipients must have a verifiable need for financial aid. The awards are directed to be renewable based upon verification of satisfactory academic progress as evidenced by maintaining a 3.0 grade point average.

The Andy Graham Lecture Demonstration Scholarship for Physics and Astronomy

Established in 2002, the purpose of this scholarship is to provide support to a full-time junior or senior majoring in Physics with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to students who are actively involved in the Instructional Lab Management Demonstration Program, workshop, and educational outreach. The scholarship is renewable based on recipient continuing to meet scholarship requirements. [More about Andy Graham]

The Jack and Roger Graham Endowed Scholarship for Physics and Astronomy

Established in 2002, the purpose of this scholarship is to provide support to a northwestern North Carolina native, with preference given to a student who demonstratesfinancial need, who is a major in the department of Physics and Astronomy, and who has successfully completed PHY 2010 and PHY 2020.

The Laurance Brown Memorial Scholarship Endowment for Physics and Astronomy

Established in 2005, the purpose of this scholarship is to provide support to a student who demonstrates financial need and who is a major in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The student should be a native of one of the following mountain counties: Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, or Yancey. Preference will be given to students concentrating in laboratory and demonstration management or who work as assistants in the laboratory and demonstration areas. 

The Jeremy and Rebecca Ehret Scholarship in Physics and Astronomy

Established in 2015, this scholarship is for students majoring in Physics with preference given to residents of North Carolina with demonstrated financial hardship.

The Samuel Bedell Little Endowed Scholarship for International Travel

Established in 2018, this endowed scholarship is for students in the College of Arts & Sciences who are participating in a university sponsored study aboard experience. Preference will be given to Physics majors, but if no qualified Physics majors apply, the College will select a recipient from another major. Based on the greatest financial need, one scholarship or up to two scholarships of equal amounts shall be awarded annually.

The Pneuma Respiratory Scholarship for Physics and Astronomy

Established in 2020, this endowed scholarship is to provide support to a sophomore, junior, or senior who has completed an upper-level laboratory course in Physics. Preference shall be given to students who demonstrate financial need and earned a grade of B or higher in the upper-level laboratory physics course.

Department Graduate Awards Scholarships

Apply through the Appalachian Scholarship Application Portal (ASAP) at asap.appstate.edu.

The James C. Greene Graduate Fellowship in the Sciences

Applicants for this fellowship must meet all requirements for admission to the Cratis Williams Graduate School and be pursuing a graduate program in Engineering Physics or Biology. This award alternates each year between the Physics and Astronomy Department (odd academic years: 2019-2020, 2021-2022, etc.) and the Biology Department (even academic years: 2018-2019, 2020-2021, etc.).

Department Undergraduate Senior Award and Recognitions

No application is required for awards and recognitions, faculty choose the recipients. Unless stated otherwise, recognitions are not monetary.

The J. W. Byrd Outstanding Senior Award

Established in 1998, this is awarded to senior level physics majors who have been judged by the Department of Physics and Astronomy to (a) be of excellent character, (b) have compiled a truly exceptional academic record in physics, and (c) have the motivation, work habits, and personal characteristics which indicate a high potential for an outstanding career in a physics-related field. Faculty nominate students for this award, no application is necessary, and the award is non-monetary.

Outstanding Physics Secondary Education Senior Recognition

Established by the department in 2019, this is awarded to a graduating senior, physics secondary education major who has demonstrated outstanding teaching and commitment to student learning. Faculty nominate students for this recognition, no application is necessary.

Outstanding Senior Research Recognition

Established by the department in 2019, this is awarded to a graduating senior who is actively involved in research during their last year of undergraduate studies and has demonstrated outstanding work in research. Faculty nominate students for this recognition, no application is necessary.

Outstanding Senior Leadership Recognition

Established by the department in 2019, this is awarded to a graduating senior who is actively involved in leadership during their last year of undergraduate studies and has demonstrated outstanding departmental leadership. Faculty nominate students for this recognition, no application is necessary.

Outstanding Senior Outreach Recognition

Established by the department in 2019, this is awarded to a graduating senior who has been active in and dedicated to outreach at Appalachian. Faculty nominate students for this recognition, no application is necessary.

Outstanding Senior Inclusive Excellence Recognition

Established by the department in 2019, this is awarded to a graduating senior who has advanced and/or shown a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the department. Faculty nominate students for this recognition, no application is necessary.

College Undergraduate Scholarships

Consider scholarships offered by the college. Visit the college website to see the qualifications for each scholarship offered. For more questions, contact the Dean's office at cas@appstate.edu or (828) 262-3078. 

  • Sally A. Callegari Memorial Scholarship for Gender Diversity in Animal Studies
  • Drs. Joanne Smith and Don R. Brannon Scholarship for Natural Sciences
  • Richard A. Thomas Memorial Scholarship for Arts and Sciences 
  • Jonathan K. Perryman Memorial Scholarship for the Sciences
  • GlaxoSmithKline Women in Science Scholarships
  • The Peggy Harmon Shore Pre-Health Care Professional Endowed Scholarship

University Scholarships and Financial Aid

Appalachian State University scholarships are also available.

The Office of Student Financial Aid has grant, loan, employment and scholarship information as well.

Nationally Competitive Scholarships

Appalachian State University maintains a website with nationally competitive scholarships and other national scholarship opportunities.

Other Funding Opportunities

There are other scholarship and funding opportunities not linked specifically to our department - these include but are not limited to: