Scholarships

This scholarship was established to honor Professor Donald E. Olson who taught in the Physics Department from1954 to 1985. Professor Olson's enthusiasm and passion inspired students and faculty to follow new avenues of research in the field of physics. The Donald Olson Memorial Scholarship provides support for students in the early stages of their scientific studies. Students may receive support to work on a research project in physics. Depending on applications received, one or more awards may be made each year, often in conjunction with an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) award. To qualify for consideration, a student must have a good academic record and be a freshman or sophomore (or a high school student or graduate) sponsored by a Physics faculty member. To apply, establish a plan for a research project with a faculty member and have this project brought to the attention of the Department by early March, so that you can meet the deadline for applications (see above). A plan submitted for a UROP application is sufficient, provided the nature of the additional work is explained.

The Howard Hanson Scholarship was created to honor Dr. Howard Hanson who taught in the Physics Department from 1947 to 1985. Dr. Hanson was known for this teaching excellence, his rapport with student, his ability to encourage interest in students and his many years of service as the head of the Physics Department. This scholarship is similar to the Olson Scholarship but is focused on students in later stages of their undergraduate career. Typically one award is made each year. To qualify for consideration, a student must have a strong academic record and be at least a sophomore, sponsored by a Physics faculty member. The application procedure is the same as for the Olson Scholarship.

This scholarship was established by an alumnus. It is aimed at promising entering freshmen physics majors. The recipient of the scholarship will be determined by admissions.

This award provides support for UMD undergraduate and graduate student participation in research, when a financial need exists, as determined by the Physics Department Head. This can include support for travel to a meeting or project site.

This scholarship was established by an alumnus in recognition of his experiences as a student and in honor of the impact and dedication of UMD's faculty. Selection criteria for this scholarship include: a full-time undergraduate students, enrolled in the Swenson College, studying for a major in Physics, who demonstrate academic merit further defined as a GPA of 3.3 or better, and who demonstrate financial need.

This fellowship, established by Mylan Radulovich (BA '60), is awarded by the Department to one or more graduate students based on exceptional promise as a new graduate student or outstanding performance by a continuing graduate student. Three to four awards from $3,000 to $6,000 each may be made annually.

The scholarship is made for full-time students that can show financial need through FASFA.

UMD William Lokke Scholarship

Established in honor of Bill Lokke who graduated from UMD with degrees in Math and Physics in 1957. Bill Lokke had a career in physics at Lawrence Livermore National Lab primarily doing innovative computer calculations (on c.1960s computers) of properties important to the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. This scholarship was created to encourage and recognize an aptitude for innovative approaches to scientific problem solving, and for independence and initiative in your work on research problems or class assignments. Recipients of this scholarship must be a full-time undergraduate student with a declared major in Physics and able to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or greater. Preference for students who may not have a perfect record but have innovative approaches to scientific problem solving.

UMD Robert A. and Mary C. Leppala Scholarship for Engineering Physics

Provides scholarship support to undergraduate UMD students who are:  enrolled full time (fall and spring semesters) in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering, majoring in engineering physics, able to demonstrate academic merit and financial need.

UMD Cirrus Aircraft SCSE Scholarship 

This scholarship was created to support UMD students who are in their junior year of student and enrolled in majors of: mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, engineering physics and computer science.