Past Undergraduate Awardees
The awardees, the faculty, and the broader Earth and Environmental Science department community thank all donors to each of the award funds. These awards provide unique opportunities and lift financial burdens for awardees, and so these awards are highly valued and appreciated. All of these awards are supported by donations predominately from Earth and Environmental Science department alumni, which includes Geology department alumni from before the department name change.
Research Funding Awards
Warren W. and Anneliese C. Wood Undergraduate Research Award
This award is made possible through the generosity of Dr. and Mrs. Wood to support undergraduate student-led research projects conducted under the mentorship of faculty in the Department. Dr. Wood is a graduate of Michigan State University, receiving B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the then Department of Geology. This award funds non-salary research expenses including research equipment, sample analyses and supplies.
| Semester | Awardee(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Thomas Libecco Peter Mastriano |
Linus Resek Mackenzie Zimmer |
| Spring 2025 | Alexandra Grabowski Lara Maun |
Paige Sakorafos |
| Fall 2024 | Libby Ashby Jack Garrison Alexandra Huk |
Korbin Thompson Chase Zobl |
| Spring 2024 | Libby Ashby | Sage Stockdale |
| Fall 2023 | Joseph Owczarek Sage Stockdale |
Cole Wagner |
| Spring 2023 | Jack Piper | Olivia Wheeler |
| Fall 2022 | Julia Rudlaff | |
| Spring 2022 | Julia Rudlaff | Jessica Ruhukya |
| Fall 2021 | Jayli Husband | Shelbi Hughes |
| Spring 2021 | Kirsten Fentzke | Chloe Mickelsons |
| Spring 2020 | Julia Bassier Madison Kortas |
Vivian Werth |
| Spring 2018 | Erik Eikey Felix Ishimwe |
Erika Miciuda Alexis Raquepaw |
Earth and Environmental Science Undergraduate Research Fellowship
This departmental award funds research expenses including student stipends.
| Semester | Awardee(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Lily Velez Lewis Hung Dac Nguyen Paige Sakorafos |
Sadie Southwell Dallas Storey |
| Spring 2025 | Danielle Killingback Lara Maun |
Charley Russell |
| Fall 2024 | Jack Garrison | |
| Spring 2024 | Shelbi Hughes Gabriella Ott Joseph Owczarek |
Jack Piper Sage Stockdale |
| Fall 2023 | Carol Hogan Hung Dac Nguyen |
Ashlin Niemec Jack Piper |
Earth and Environmental Science Undergraduate Supplemental Travel Award
This departmental supplemental award enables undergraduate students to participate in academic meetings to share their research with the larger academic community and learn from experts in their fields.
| Semester | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Alexandra Grabowski |
| Spring 2025 | Libby Ashby Hung Dac Nguyen |
| Spring 2024 | Libby Ashby |
| Fall 2022 | Shelbi Hughes Jessica Ruhukya |
| Fall 2021 | Addy Pletcher |
James Neal Research Award
Established in 1996 by James Neal to fund graduate and faculty research, travel or other programs, acquisitions and/or personnel to enhance the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Julia Rudlaff |
| 2021 | Yvonne Krimmel |
Annual Achievement Awards
Outstanding Senior Award
This departmental award honors exemplary academic achievement during an undergraduate student's academic career.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Gabriella Ott |
| 2024 | Julia Rudlaff |
| 2023 | Jessica Ruhukya |
| 2022 | Kirsten Fentzke |
| 2021 | Tanner Manvydas |
| 2020 | Sabrina Curtis Lynnea Jackson |
| 2018 | Lillian Slajus |
Estwing Departmental Service Award
First awarded by the Estwing Manufacturing Company in 1990 to a geology student with outstanding contributions to the department in academic excellence, research, and/or departmental service.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Libby Ashby |
| 2024 | Fletcher Kirkwood |
| 2023 | Fletcher Kirkwood Julia Rudlaff |
| 2022 | Kirsten Fentzke |
| 2021 | Abigail Wolff |
| 2020 | Erika Micuida |
| 2018 | Mitchell Collins |
Annual Scholarship Awards
Central Michigan Lapidary & Mineral Society (CML&MS) Scholarship
Based on past academic performance, financial need, and the potential for academic and later professional success. Proceeds for the scholarship were obtained from the Society’s Annual Gem and Mineral show.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Chase Zobl |
| 2024 | Libby Ashby Gabriella Ott |
| 2023 | Libby Ashby |
| 2022 | Shelbi Hughes Julia Rudlaff |
| 2020 | Josie Anderson Abby Wolff |
| 2018 | Liam Peterson |
Wayne B. and Marian R. Henderson Scholarship
Based on high academic performance, this scholarship was established in 1995 by Mrs. Marian Henderson in memory of her husband Wayne, who was a geology student at MSU, in recognition of his work to spread understanding of the geological sciences. Prior to Mrs. Henderson’s passing, the scholarship was named the Wayne Henderson Scholarship. After that time, their granddaughter, Mrs. Jamie Daane, carried out her grandmother’s request to create a joint scholarship, now named the Wayne B. & Marian R. Henderson Scholarship.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Julia Egbert Evan Thawnghmung |
| 2024 | Shelbi Hughes Jake Tow |
| 2023 | Kalen Murphy |
| 2022 | Julia Rudlaff |
| 2021 | Josie Anderson |
| 2020 | Chloe Mickelsons |
| 2018 | Carly Finegan |
Lucile Drake Pringle and Gordon H. Pringle Endowed Undergraduate Fellowship
Made possible by Gordon H. Pringle, a 1932 graduate of the department. It was established in 1988 in memory of his wife and is intended to encourage students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress. After Mr. Pringle’s passing in 1998, their son, Lewis G. Pringle, renamed the fellowship in honor of both parents.
| Year | Awardee(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ava Haithcock Danielle Killingback |
Korbin Thompson Paige Sakorafos |
| 2024 | Joseph Owczarek | Sage Stockdale |
| 2023 | Libby Ashby Shelbi Hughes |
Daniel Kurylo Gabriella Ott |
| 2022 | Shelbi Hughes Jayli Husband |
Fletcher Kirkwood Jessica Ruhukya |
| 2021 | Holden Hague Kate Henry |
Shadaira McCarty Christian Vega |
| 2020 | Trevor Baranski Rex Blackwell |
Deville Greer Brandi Wheeler |
| 2018 | Cameron Andrews Zach Chamberlain |
Sabrina Curtis Lynnea Jackson |
Max L. Anderson Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2019 in order to support the education of Earth and Environmental Science undergraduate students. Dr. Max L. Anderson '69 earned a B.S. degree in Geology and M.A.T in Earth Sciences from MSU in 1971, and he was supported during his education by a Board of Trustees Scholarship, which was critical to avoiding significant debt due to tuition. The purpose of this scholarship is to pay back some of the investment MSU made in Dr. Anderson's education and help other students finance their degrees. He taught Earth science at Proviso West High School in Illinois for three years before he obtained an M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan. He then taught at the University of Wisconsin at Platteville in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department from 1979-2012, serving as department chair for 20 of those years. The activity that brought Dr. Anderson the biggest sense of accomplishment was working with students as an academic/career advisor.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Andrew Hermann Lara Maun |
| 2024 | Daniel Kurylo |
| 2023 | Fletcher Kirkwood Julia Rudlaff |
| 2022 | Olivia Wheeler |
| 2021 | Chloe Mickelsons |
| 2020 | Syndey Gable |
Graham Ryder Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 2006 in memory of Dr. Graham Ryder Ph.D. '74. Dr. Ryder was a premier lunar scientist who pioneered the exploration of the Moon and important concepts regarding lunar evolution. This scholarship was established in 2006 in memory of Dr. Graham Ryder Ph.D. '74. Dr. Ryder was a premier lunar scientist who pioneered the exploration of the Moon and important concepts regarding lunar evolution. He recieved a B.Sc. from the University of Wales at Swansea in 1970 before coming to MSU for his doctoral work on the petrology of igneous rocks. After post-doctoral study at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, he was employed in the Lunar Curatorial Facility at NASA Johnson Space Center and from 1983-2002 worked at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston, TX. Honoring his contributions to research, this scholarship supports students engaged in research within the EES department. Honoring his contributions to research, this scholarship supports students engaged in research within the EES department.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Brixon Schmiesing Frank Schuster |
Bennett T. Sandefur Memorial Scholarship
Made possible by donations from Dr. Sandefur’s family, friends, colleagues and students. After his death in 1989, this scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Sandefur, who was a faculty member in our department and Coordinator for the Continuing Education Program in the College of Natural Science.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Jack Hines |
| 2021 | Addy Pletcher |
| 2020 | Gabe Mattison |
| 2018 | Madison Witkowski |
Annual Field Camp Scholarships
Anna Lee Flory Memorial Scholarship
This memorial scholarship was established in memory of Anna Lee Flory, a sophomore studying geological science and teaching, who passed away unexpectedly in 2013. Anna was a graduate of Hudsonville High School and attended Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin before transferring to MSU following in her father, older sister, and uncle’s Spartan footsteps. While at MSU, Anna was pursuing a teaching degree with a major in Earth Science. She fell in love with geology after participating in the Hudsonville Summer Science Institute and loved the outdoors. This scholarship supports participation in intensive geology-related field study including geology field camp, field trips, and student field-work, as these activities apply classroom knowledge and transform students into skilled geologists.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Richard Rieske |
| 2024 | Carter Rosier |
| 2023 | Fletcher Kirkwood |
| 2022 | Chloe Mikelsons |
| 2021 | Eren Moore |
| 2020 | Sam Cairns |
| 2018 | Julia Michienzi |
John T. Wilband Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1989 in memory of Dr. Wilband, who was a faculty member in our department. This scholarship was made possible by donations from Dr. Wilband’s family, friends, colleagues and students. Dr. Wilband also served as our field camp director for many years; recipients will be attending field camp.
| Year | Awardee(s) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Libby Ashby |
| 2024 | Shelbi Hughes |
| 2023 | Calli Nickels |
| 2022 | Josie Anderson |
| 2021 | Tanner Manvydas |
| 2020 | Ryan Phillips |
| 2018 | Josh Paavola |
Clay and Nancy Hunter Scholarship
| Year | Awardee(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Edward Dean Matthew Heyer Alexandra Huk |
Christian Lopez Aidon Lyon Gabriella Ott |
| 2024 | Daniel Kurylo Ashlin Niemic Kalen Murphy |
Jack Piper Cole Wagner |
| 2023 | Sydney Bussineau Fletcher Kirkwood |
Calli Nickels Olivia Wheeler |
Earth and Environmental Sciences Alumni Field Camp Scholarship
Made possible by alumni of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and intended for support of student attendance to Field Camp.
| Year | Awardee(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Edward Dean Matthew Heyer Alexandra Huk |
Christian Lopez Aidon Lyon Gabriella Ott |
| 2024 | Jack Piper Cole Wagner |
Kalen Murphy |
| 2023 | Sydney Bussineau Fletcher Kirkwood |
Calli Nickels Olivia Wheeler |
| 2022 | Kirsten Fentzke Caleb Gullick Trenton Singer |
Jon Thorold Yehui Zhang |
| 2021 | Holden Hague Dylan Harter Makenna Hill |
Tanner Manvydas Eren Moore Abigail Wolff |
| 2020 | Marissa Manshah | Audrey Trainor |
| 2018 | Mitchell Collins Carly Francis Hannah Fromm |
Elizabeth Tripp Noah Vriese Madison Witkowski |
Cornerstone Field Camp Award
| Year | Awardee(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Joseph Owczarek Brendan Ryan |
Paige Sakorafos Holly Sophia Wild |