Discipline-Based Honors

In addition to the scholastic honors, the University of Minnesota, Morris recognizes campuswide student leadership in the academic disciplines through the following awards:

Abbott Award in Physics

This award is presented to a graduating senior majoring in physics who has the greatest potential for achieving a professional career in physics or a physics-related field. The award was established by the late Robinson Abbott, professor of biology from 1961 to 1991, and his wife, Rose Marie, who taught biology courses at Morris, to recognize the importance Morris has played in their lives. All four Abbott children graduated from Morris, three with majors in physics.

Alumni Award for Outstanding English Major

This award is given to an English major in his or her last year at Morris whose performance in English classes has been consistently superior and who has made positive contributions to the discipline or major in and beyond the classroom.

Art History Book Award

This award is given to a graduating art history major in recognition of academic excellence and potential for further achievement in the arts.

Natalie Benoit Memorial Award

This award is presented to a junior or senior who has demonstrated ability and shows promise as a serious art student. Established in memory of Natalie Benoit by her parents, George and Joan Benoit, former Morris residents. Natalie was an art major studying at Penn State at the time of her death in an accident.

Chemistry Undergraduate Research Award

The Chemistry Undergraduate Research Fund (CURF) provides support for students who are majoring in chemistry/biochemistry and have an interest in carrying out research in chemistry/biochemistry or a closely related field. The awardee must have demonstrated outstanding aptitude for research in the chemistry discipline’s Introduction to Research course and the potential for continued success.

Chris Berg Memorial Award

This award is presented annually to an outstanding senior majoring in economics who has demonstrated academic excellence in that field by the economics/management faculty in memory of their late colleague.

Clemens “Johnny” Brauer Memorial Award

This award supports geology majors by providing financial assistance to cover field study expenses. Recipients must exhibit academic excellence and plan a professional or academic career in the geological sciences. The award honors the memory of Clemens Brauer, associate professor of geology from 1966 to 1981, who emphasized fieldwork as an important part of a geology major. His students and the campus knew him as “Doc Rock.” He passed away in May 2003.

Rodney A. Briggs Library Student Art Award

This award recognizes talented Morris students and creates a permanent, quality, library art collection. Morris art faculty identify up to 10 works from each of the two student art shows. A committee of two library staff, two library student assistants, and an Academic Services Support Committee member select one piece from each of the art shows.

Keith Carlson Memorial Jazz Award

This award is presented annually to the most outstanding jazz musician at Morris. This award was established in memory of Keith Carlson by Jack and Ethel Carlson.

Freshman Chemistry Award

This award honors a first-year student’s outstanding performance in a chemistry class. It is given by the Chemical Rubber Company.

spdf Chemistry Award

This award is presented annually to a senior chemistry major who has demonstrated outstanding scholarship, potential, and service in chemistry.

Brion Dalager Memorial Award

Established by the family and friends of the late Brion Dalager, Morris music student from 1969 to 1972, this award is given annually to students who have demonstrated outstanding ability on a band instrument.

Mimi Frenier Award in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

This award is granted annually to a junior or senior gender, women, and sexuality studies major in recognition of high academic achievement and social, political, and civic activism. It was established by colleagues, students, alumni, friends, and the Morris Commission on Women in recognition of Professor of History Mariam Frenier’s dedication to Morris and in appreciation for her contributions to the development of the gender, women, and sexuality studies major. She served Morris from 1973 until her retirement in 2004.

Dimitra Giannuli Memorial Award

Based on the excellence of history coursework at Morris, this scholarship was established by colleagues, friends, family and alumni in memory of Dimitra Giannuli, associate professor of history. She served Morris from 1992 until her death in 2003.

Gieske Academic Award

Offered annually to outstanding political science majors in their senior year, recipients will have an exceptional record of accomplishment at Morris as well as strong prospects for success after graduation. The award is in memory of Millard R. Gieske, professor of political science from 1963 to 1991, a respected leader in many professional organizations and the author of many political works.

Gieske Internship Award

This award supports political science students who pursue legislative internships in Washington, D.C., or at the Minnesota State Capitol. It honors the memory of Millard Gieske, Morris professor of political science.

Lois P. Hodgell Printmaking Award

Presented annually to a student who demonstrates creative potential in the field as well as a technical understanding of a variety of print processes, this award honors the late Lois P. Hodgell, who was a professor of art at Morris from 1962 until her retirement in 1993. The award recipient must show outstanding achievement in printmaking.

Horizon Award

The Horizon Award is awarded annually to an outstanding sophomore psychology major. Recipients who receive this award have exceptional records of accomplishments at Morris and strong ambitions for their academic careers.

Raymond J. Lammers Award in the Language Arts

Established in memory of Raymond J. Lammers, professor emeritus of theatre, this award is presented to seniors majoring in and demonstrating an outstanding undergraduate career in one of the following disciplines: theatre, English, foreign language, or communication, media, and rhetoric. Professor Lammers was one of the first Morris faculty members and figured prominently in the creation of the theatre major and theatre program.

Morris Management/Economics Alumni Award

This award is presented to a graduating discipline senior who has achieved academic excellence and has provided service to the discipline and the Morris campus. It is funded through collective alumni gifts to the management/economics discipline.

Dik Munson Art Award

This award is presented to outstanding first- and second-year students in studio art who demonstrate creative potential in future discipline coursework. This award is intended for purchase of materials and supplies for the recipient’s artwork and experimentation with new media.

Outstanding Graduate Award in Psychology

The Outstanding Graduate in Psychology Award is given annually to a senior graduating with a psychology major. Recipients who receive this award have excelled in the following areas: scholarship, research experience, and participation in the psychology discipline.

Pi Delta Phi

Pi Delta Phi is the National French Honor Society for undergraduate and graduate students at accredited public and private colleges and universities in the United States. The highest academic honor in the field of French and the oldest academic honor society for a modern foreign language in the United States, Pi Delta Phi was founded as a departmental honor society at the University of California at Berkeley in 1906. The Society was nationalized when the Beta Chapter was established at the University of Southern California in 1925. The Society was officially endorsed by the American Association of Teachers of French as the only collegiate national French honor society in 1949. The purpose of the Society is to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and Francophone literatures, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and to stimulate and to encourage French and francophone cultural activities.

Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper Award

The Pi Sigma Alpha Best Paper Award is awarded to political science students whose papers, submitted for courses during the previous calendar year, were judged the best based on degree of original research, level of critical thinking, and quality of writing. Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society for college students of political science and government.

Jay Y. Roshal Award

This award is presented to a senior majoring in biology who demonstrates the most promise and interest in a career in the biological sciences. The award is in honor of the late Jay Y. Roshal, professor of biology at Morris from 1960 to 1983, and the first chairperson of the Division of Science and Mathematics.

William R. Scarborough Memorial Award

This award is presented annually to a senior enrolled in either the elementary or secondary education program. This award recognizes a student’s demonstrated competence and potential for becoming an outstanding member of the teaching profession. William Scarborough joined the Morris faculty in 1966, made many contributions to public education in Minnesota, and served as chairperson of the Division of Education until his death in 1979.

Schneider National Award

Presented to an economics or management student who has demonstrated outstanding research abilities and maintained academic excellence. The award is funded by Schneider National, Incorporated.

Sociology/Anthropology Book Award

Awarded to an outstanding sociology and/or anthropology student, this honor recognizes academic excellence and active engagement in the fields of sociology and anthropology.

Ted and Judith Underwood Award in History

This award is presented to a graduating senior with a major or minor in history who has demonstrated distinguished academic performance in history. The award is named for Dr. Ted L. and Judith Underwood. Ted served the University of Minnesota Morris as an outstanding scholar, teacher, and administrator from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. Judith completed a degree in education at University of Minnesota Morris in 1971 and pursued a successful career in education in the Minneapolis area from 1973 to 1999.

Wawokiya Award

The Wawokiya (Lakota for “one who helps”) Award is awarded annually to an outstanding senior psychology major. Recipients who receive this award have strong records of accomplishment at Morris and sincere interest in helping others.

For more information about these and other awards, contact the respective division chairperson.