Scholarships and Awards

CMU physics majors are eligible for a number of scholarships.  

CMU Academic Grant - Physical & Environmental Sciences

This scholarship will be awarded to a full-time (12 credit hours) student majoring in Physical & Environmental Sciences, is a resident of the State of Colorado, and has attained a GPA of at least 3.0.

Goodwin Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a student who has attained a GPA of at least 3.0 and is enrolled in the Physical and Environmental Sciences department as a Junior or Senior.

Patricia White Powell Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a student with a declared major in the physical and biological sciences including Chemistry, Environmental Geology, Geology, Physics or Biology. Recipients must be an in-state junior or senior, be considered a middle income student and have and maintain a 3.0+ GPA.

Julie Fredlund Science Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to two students (1) enrolled in the Biological Sciences Department and (1) enrolled in the Physical and Environmental Sciences Department who demonstrate financial need and are first-generation students. Freshman recipients must have a 3.5+ high school GPA or Sophomores and above must have maintained a 3.0+.

Sigma Pi Sigma National Honors Society

Sigma Pi Sigma is the national physics honor society, recognizing outstanding academic achievement and a commitment to the study of physics. Membership provides opportunities for professional development, networking, leadership, and engagement with the broader physics community.

CMU Student Showcase Presentation Awards

Every spring semester all physics students enrolled in PHYS 482: Senior Research participate in the CMU Student Showcase, a campus-wide conference-style event.  They choose to either present a poster or give a 10 minute talk about their senior research project.  Students are judged and the best presentation is awarded in each category at the awards ceremony following the event.

CMU Physics Program Student Awards

The Physics Program recognizes outstanding student achievement through a series of annual awards celebrating excellence in research, academics, communication, leadership, service, and community engagement. These awards highlight the diverse ways students contribute to the department while developing the skills and experiences that prepare them for future success.

Capstone Achievement Award

for completing an outstanding senior thesis project

Emerging Physicist Award

for promising early-career achievements

Outstanding Physics Research Award

for exceptional undergraduate research

Physics Communication Award

for outstanding physics seminar and student showcase presentations

Physics Leadership and Service Award

for organizing clubs, engaging in outreach, mentoring peers, and contributing to the physics community

Physics Mav Spirit Award

for enthusiasm and fostering a positive environment in the program

Sigma Pi Sigma National Honors Society Inductees

Able Martinez

CMU Student Showcase Presentation Awards

Best Physics Poster Award

Able Martinez: Showing Color-Kinematics Duality for a Simplified Gluon Field Theory

CMU Physics Program Student Awards

Capstone Achievement Award

Lizzie Ballard

Emerging Physicist Award

Joseph Thomas

Outstanding Physics Research Award

Tyrell Bose

Physics Communication Award

Able Martinez

Physics Leadership and Service Award

Jaxon Potts

Physics Mav Spirit Award

Sigma Pi Sigma National Honors Society Inductees

Derric Loya

Tori McNeece

Gradon Miller

CMU Student Showcase Presentation Awards

Best Physics Poster Award

Derric Loya: Searching for H₂O Ice Near the Equator of Mars Under a Layer of Jarosite

Best Physics Oral Presentation Award

Hunter Huie: Taming the Tornado: Visualizing Wild Orbits Around Spinning Black Holes