University Scholars Recognition Program 2020
University Scholars
At Susquehanna, University Scholars have all earned in full-time study for the past two semesters, or in equivalent credit hours of part-time study, a cumulative grade point average of 3.75, consistent with University Scholars performance or have earned departmental recognition for their scholarly efforts.
* Denotes award recipient
** Denotes University Scholar and award recipient
Faculty Awards
The Donald D. Housley Teaching Award is granted in recognition of the distinguished teaching of the recipient during the college year just ending. The award recognizes a most distinguished member of the faculty who served from 1967-2004, as both Dean of Arts and Sciences and Charles B. Degenstein Professor of History. He started SU’s first “teaching cell”—a small, cross-disciplinary, multi-generational group of faculty meeting regularly to discuss pedagogy which later led to the creation of SU’s Center for Teaching and Learning. An extraordinary and highly respected teacher in his own right, and the first recipient (1972) of the Susquehanna University Teaching Award, Dr. Housley also authored Susquehanna University 1858-2000: A Goodly Heritage, the definitive history of the university covering its first 142 years.
The John C. Horn Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Activity memorializes Dr. John C. Horn, a former long-time member and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the University. The award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding scholarship and conscientious service to the University, and the recipient offers a public lecture in the following academic year.
The Lawrence A. Lemons Distinguished Academic Advising Award memorializes a master teacher, public school leader, and devoted advisor to students, who served the youth of the Nebraska Panhandle for more than 50 years. The educational journeys of minority, international and socio-economically challenged students were especially meaningful to him and among those he championed and cherished the most.
Student Awards and Honors
The Alexander W. and Anna O. Ambromovage Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in 2008 in memory of Anna Ambromovage, class of ’58. It is awarded to students majoring in one of the biological sciences who have demonstrated academic promise.
The Andrew C. Long, class of ’28 Scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated academic promise, are majoring in business and/or are from the Shamokin, Coal Township, Ranshaw, Paxinos and Shamokin Township/surrounding areas. Awards are made with a request that recipients shall, upon achieving earning capacity, make in gratitude an appropriate contribution to the scholarship fund.
The Chemistry Prize, established in 1979 by the Parents Association, annually recognizes an outstanding student majoring in Chemistry.
The Winifred Shaheen Award is given to a student majoring in education who has achieved academic distinction while also exhibiting outstanding leadership and service.
The William A. Russ, Jr. History Scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior based on academic accomplishment, contributions to the study and pursuit of history, and promise as a scholar. This scholarship was established in honor of the late Dr. William Adam Russ, Jr., professor of history from 1933-1968, by his friends and former students.
The Stine-Robison Mathematical Prize was established in memory of the Reverend Doctor H.M. Stine and Dr. George M. Robison and is awarded annually to the student who has the highest average in the study of mathematics during the freshman and sophomore years.
The Nancy A. Cairns Scholarship Fund was established in 1990 through an estate gift from this much-loved French professor. The fund provides scholarships for Susquehanna University students majoring in French.
The Elizabeth G. Eyster Award in Music was established in 1972 by friends, relatives, and parents of Elizabeth G. Eyster, class of ’72. The award is presented annually by the Music Department to an outstanding junior student whose performance and academic accomplishment gives promise of outstanding musical achievement.
The Presser Foundation Music Scholarship, given annually to an outstanding music major entering the senior year.
The Ries Physics Prize was established in 1987 by the family of physics alumnus Jeff Ries, class of ’86, and is awarded annually to a junior who meets the required cumulative grade point and exhibits strong interest and ability in physics.
The Rogers Physics Prize was established in 1994 by a physics graduate to memorialize the many contributions made by Edward and Blanche Rogers, both of the class of ’42, to the physics program. The physics faculty annually selects an outstanding physics student for this award.
The Pi Sigma Alpha Award, established in 1979 by the Parents Association, annually recognizes an outstanding student majoring in political science.
The Tressler Science Scholarship is awarded to students majoring in science from lower Northumberland County and upper Dauphin County who demonstrate academic promise. Awards are made with a request that recipients shall, upon achieving earning capacity, make in gratitude an appropriate contribution to the scholarship fund.
The Tressler Accounting Scholarship is part of the Tressler Accounting Endowment Fund established in 1989 in a gift from the late Allen C. Tressler, Class of ’29.
The Vi Rabey Messerli Award was endowed in 2003 by her husband, Jonathan, family and friends. Mrs. Messerli served Susquehanna University with distinction as its first lady from 1977 to 1984.
The Sigmund Weis Prize was established in 2005 in memory of Sigmund Weis, member of the Class of 1903, to commemorate his legacy as an outstanding business and civic leader. It is awarded to a senior majoring in business who has excelled not only in the business curriculum but also in the liberal arts.
The Sidney and Carole Apfelbaum Prize was established in 2005 and commemorates the Apfelbaums’ commitment to Susquehanna and their loyal friendship with the Weis Family. It is awarded to a senior majoring in the liberal arts who has excelled not only in a liberal arts discipline but also in the creative or performing arts.
The Joseph I. and Ellen Weis Goldstein Prize was established in 2004 in their honor by the Degenstein Foundation to recognize the Goldsteins’ generosity to Susquehanna University and their special interest in its Sigmund Weis School of Business, named in memory of Mrs. Goldstein’s grandfather who was a 1903 Susquehanna graduate. The prize is awarded annually to a student majoring in a program within the Sigmund Weis School who has demonstrated the potential for leadership in the business world and a commitment to ethical decision-making.
The Joel and Trudy Cunningham Prize was established in 2005 and commemorates the Cunningham’s leadership as Susquehanna’s president and first lady in developing the Sigmund Weis School of Business into an outstanding undergraduate business program worthy of its namesake. It is awarded to a senior majoring in mathematics or science who has excelled not only in the discipline but also in the creative or performing arts.
The Sigfried Weis Prize for Academic Excellence was established in 2011 in memory of Mrs. Goldstein’s parents. It is awarded annually to a junior or senior who in the opinion of the chief academic officer has performed at a sustained level of excellence in rigorous coursework, research, and independent learning.
The Janet C. Weis Prize for Literary Excellence was established in 2011 in memory of Mrs. Goldstein’s parents. It is awarded annually to a junior or senior who in the opinion of the head of the writing program has produced the most promising work in poetry, fiction or creative non-fiction.
The Michael and Christina Apfelbaum Prize was established in 2015 in their memory by the Goldstein family and honors the couple’s contributions and connections to the Central Susquehanna Valley and to the university. The prize is awarded to a junior or senior who has excelled academically and whose record of community service has been exemplary.
The Sigmund Weis “Freshman Prize” was re-established in 2016 in memory of Sigmund Weis, member of the Class of 1903 and co-recipient of this award in 1900. The prize revives a tradition of honoring a student who excels academically during the first year. The awardee is recognized at the start of the sophomore year.
The Sigmund Weis “Sophomore Prize” was re-established in 2016 in memory of Sigmund Weis, member of the Class of 1903, and recipient of this award in 1901. The prize revives a tradition of honoring a student who excels academically during the sophomore year. The awardee is recognized at the start of the junior year.
The Sara Kirkland Prize was established in 2016 to honor her extraordinary leadership in the roles of Susquehanna’s vice president for university relations and executive vice president for administration and planning from 1985-2014. She also served as the university’s interim president during 2000 and 2001. The prize is awarded to a senior majoring in a liberal arts discipline whose record as a campus/community leader is regarded as exemplary.
The Jay and Marsha Lemons Prize was established in 2016 and commemorates the Lemons’ leadership as Susquehanna’s president and first lady in advancing the value of student engagement and achievement in the undergraduate learning experience. The prize is awarded annually to as many as three juniors whose academic accomplishments make them competitive candidates for national and international awards.