Scholarships and Awards
Every year the Chemistry Program celebrates the achievements and hard work of our chemistry students in the form of scholarships and awards. Scholarships are open to application from all qualifying chemistry majors, while awards are given based on the nomination by the faculty members. All recipients of the scholarships are asked to acknowledge receipt of the scholarship by a written thank you to the donors or designates.
Scholarships
Qualified students are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships. Deadline is typically March 1; check your emails for a specific deadline. You will fill out one application at www.westga.edu/scholarships to be considered for all eligible scholarships. Please allow sufficient time to fill the application: there will be several short-paragraph questions to answer. Also, if you want to be eligible for need-based scholarships, you must apply for FAFSA as well.
In honor of Dr. James A. Wash, an annual scholarship is presented each spring to a chemistry major who will be attending the University of West Georgia during the succeeding academic year. Applicant must have completed CHEM 1211, CHEM 1212, and CHEM 3422 or CHEM 3310K.
In honor of Dr. William L. Lockhart, an annual scholarship is presented each spring to a chemistry major who has exhibited heart. Applicant must have completed at least an academic year of consecutive chemistry courses at the University of West Georgia.
This scholarship was established by Dr. Frederick W. Martin, son of the late Mrs. Martin and a graduate of the University of West Georgia. The recipient of this scholarship will be a medical preparation major. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of GPA and potential with need being a secondary consideration. .
Dr. William Glenn Esslinger was a chemistry professor at UWG from 1968 to 2000. Dr. Esslinger loved teaching, the university, and the students. This scholarship is provided by the Esslinger family in the memory of Dr. Esslinger to extend his legacy and provide opportunities for students in the future. The recipient of the scholarship must major in chemistry, maintain a 3.0 grade point average and be from Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Heard or Haralson counties.
This annual scholarship is presented each spring to a Chemistry major who will be attending the University of West Georgia during the succeeding academic year. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of merit and need.
The Sara and Ivy Carroll Endowed Scholarship will be awarded annually to students who are majoring in Chemistry and demonstrate financial need.
This scholarship shall be awarded annually for the purpose of presenting undergraduate research at an off-campus conference. Students must submit a faculty recommendation to the awarding committee. The recipient should be a junior or senior majoring in Chemistry who is the primary oral presenter at an off-campus conference.
The eligible candidate must be sophomore or junior chemistry major who will attend UWG as a Chemistry major during the succeeding year. The candidate must have a GPA above 3.0, have completed CHEM 1211 and 1212, demonstrate interest and aptitude in research in either physical chemistry or biochemistry, have a track record of achievement in science and mathematics, and show interest in attending graduate or professional school. The candidate must write a cover letter to the Chemistry Scholarships and Awards Committee detailing their source of inspiration; a significant challenge overcome in their personal, academic, or professional life; and their major goals.
Awarded to a Biology or Chemistry major who will be attending the University of West Georgia during the succeeding academic year and is based on merit, potential, and need.
Awarded to a Chemistry major who has served two or more semesters as a Chemistry workshop leader. Priority will be given to those who have served longer and undertaken greater responsibility in the workshop program. The scholarship will be limited to those with known financial need.
Course Achievement Awards
These awards are given based on the achievements in the coursework and nomination by the course instructors.
Latha M. Barnes (A.B., Berry College; M.S., University of Mississippi; Ph.D., Georgia State University) came to the State University of West Georgia in the fall of 1959 and during the ensuing 27 years was a mainstay of the Department of Chemistry with primary responsibility for the general chemistry program for most of those years. She developed and taught the first organic chemistry courses, served the college in many capacities, advised students about academic and personal problems, and was active in church and civic affairs. She exemplified excellence to students and enjoyed interacting with them. This Award is a tribute to her and students in the area of chemistry that she loved the most. The award is given each year to one or more students at the University of West Georgia based on numerical average for an academic year of stipulated general chemistry courses.
To honor the 31-year career of teaching and conducting undergraduate research of Professor W. Glenn Esslinger, the faculty of the Department of Chemistry award book scholarships to deserving chemistry majors completing the general chemistry sequence and starting the organic chemistry sequence in the fall. Professor Esslinger (BS, MS, Ph.D., Alabama), began his tenure at West Georgia in 1968 and retired in December 1999. Former students and faculty honor him for excellent teaching and service with this scholarship. The recipients will be selected from those who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement in the freshman chemistry sequence and are going to take the organic chemistry in the following academic year.
This award is given annually to a chemistry student who has shown outstanding academic achievement during the preceding year in the general chemistry sequence and high potential for future contributions in science.
This award is given for excellence in organic chemistry and promise for physical chemistry course(s) or biochemistry course(s) in the following year.
Hughlan W. Pope (BS, Carson-Newnan; MS, Georgia; Ph.D., Vanderbilt) retired from West Georgia in 1976 as Chair and Professor of Chemistry. His career included significant accomplishments in organic teaching and research. Jack L. Grogan (AB, West Georgia; MS, Ph.D. Georgia) taught organic chemistry from 1970 to 1989. During that time he developed offerings in medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, and physiological chemistry. His efforts saw the establishment of a highly successful pre-pharmacy program. This award is given annually to a chemistry student who has shown outstanding academic achievement during the preceding year in the organic chemistry sequence.
For the sixteenth consecutive year the Division of Analytical Chemistry sponsors these awards which are intended to encourage student interest in analytical chemistry and to recognize students who display an aptitude for a career in this field. The award consists of an 8-month subscription to the journal, Analytical Chemistry, and an honorary membership in the Division of Analytical Chemistry for the same period.
Lucille B. Garmon (BS, MS, Richmond; Ph.D., Virginia) is currently a professor emeritus of Chemistry at UWG. The award is given to the student who has shown outstanding academic achievement in the Physical Chemistry sequence.
This award is given for excellence in biochemistry.
This award is given for excellence in inorganic chemistry courses.
Awarded to student employee(s) who has demonstrated exemplary performance during the period of employment.
Awarded to a new leader and a veteran leader
who has demonstrated exemplary service.
This award is sponsored by the ACS Division of Physical Chemistry to recognize outstanding achievement by an undergraduate student in physical chemistry who has demonstrated excellence in this field and related fields based on research, coursework, and/or dedication.
Graduating Senior Awards
This award, formerly called the Sigma Xi Award, is given annually to a senior chemistry major who, in the opinion of the departmental faculty, has shown outstanding achievement in undergraduate chemistry and chemistry research. Potential for future professional development in chemistry and related disciplines is also judged in making the selection. The recipient of this award is also recognized at the Honors Convocation.
This is an annual student award program to honor outstanding seniors, majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering, or biochemistry. The award is given in recognition of a demonstrated record of ability, leadership, and professional promise. The student will receive a suitable certificate, and a one-year Student Associate membership in the AIC.
This award is given to an individual who shows a strong potential for a career in the medical field.
This award is sponsored by the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry to recognize senior students who have demonstrated excellence in organic chemistry based on a combination of research experience, coursework, and desire to pursue a career in chemistry.
Sciences and Mathematics Scholarships
These scholarships are open for sciences and mathematic majors, and chemistry majors are eligible for them.
This award is given to an outstanding student who is a Georgia resident and is majoring in Chemistry, Math or Physics with an overall GPA of 3.5 or better. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need.
This award is given to an outstanding student majoring in science or mathematics.
This award is given to an outstanding student with a future career goal of medical doctor, nurse or biomedical researcher with a desire to find a cure, or to research or treat Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), or other pulmonary diseases that take human life. Student must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and show financial need. Preference will be given to residents of Douglas, Haralson, Carroll, Paulding, Polk, Floyd and Cobb Counties, Georgia, respectively.
The John Philip Kittel Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 by Gloria M. Kittel (Ed.S. 1987), an instructor in the University of West Georgia Department of Mathematics, to honor her husband of 31 years who was a Georgia Tech graduate. The John Philip Kittel Memorial Scholarship will award $500 annually to a student who:
- Is a sophomore or junior engineering major and is on track to transfer to Georgia Tech to complete his/her degree,
- Has an overall and math/science GPA of at least a 3.0 calculated on all attempted hours. Math/science GPA will be calculated using grades in science/math courses required on the Pre-engineering track including MATH 1634, 2644, 2654, 2853, 3303; CHEM 1211+L, CHEM 1212+L; PHYS 2211+L, PHYS 2212+L
- Applicants must submit an essay (300-500 words) entitled “Why I Want to Go to Georgia Tech and What This Scholarship Would Mean to Me.”
A faculty committee will review the essays, interview finalists, and choose the recipient of this annual award for the Spring semester. Final selection will depend on grades at the end of the Fall semester and must also be 3.0 or higher.