Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemistry
Scholarship Sponsored by Iota Sigma Pi
Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemistry — Iota Sigma Pi
Overview and Eligibility
- Purpose: To honor outstanding achievement in chemistry by an undergraduate woman.
- Who may be nominated: A female senior majoring in chemistry at an accredited college or university that confers a four‑year baccalaureate degree. Candidates do not have to be members of Iota Sigma Pi, though they may be.
Nomination Authority and Limits
- Nominations must originate from a faculty member at the candidate’s current institution.
- Each academic department may submit only one nomination.
Required Nomination Packet
All materials should be compiled and submitted electronically as a single file (PDF recommended) by the nominating faculty member to the Director of Student Awards at ispncstudentawards@gmail.com. The dossier must include:
1. A completed cover sheet that lists both the candidate’s permanent (home) address and school address.
2. Academic record: official transcripts (or unofficial transcripts transmitted by a faculty member) documenting the student’s college work and cumulative GPA, including transcripts from every institution attended. If recent term grades are missing from the official transcript, the Department Head may provide a written certification of the most recent grades.
3. Personal statement written by the candidate describing her collegiate activities and her plans following graduation.
Letters of Recommendation
- The nominator is responsible for arranging and submitting confidential recommendations.
- A minimum of two letters is required. These should come from faculty members able to address the candidate’s academic preparation and accomplishments in chemistry.
- Recommendation letters must be transmitted electronically and received by the application deadline.
Transcripts
- Official transcripts should be sent directly (mailed or emailed) to ispncstudentawards@gmail.com, separate from the single-file nomination packet. They must arrive no later than February 15.
- If official transcripts cannot be provided, an unofficial transcript forwarded by a faculty member is acceptable; alternatively, the Department Head may certify recent grades as noted above.
Deadlines and Notification
- All nomination materials (the single-file dossier submitted by the nominator, faculty recommendation letters, and official transcripts) must be received by February 15 each year.
- The recipient will be announced by April 15 each year.
Award
- The recipient will receive $1,000, a certificate, and a one‑year waiver of Iota Sigma Pi dues.
Presentation
- The Director for Student Awards, in consultation with the awardee’s Department Head, will determine an appropriate setting for presentation. Possible venues include a campus honors ceremony, a nearby local Iota Sigma Pi meeting, or a local/regional American Chemical Society meeting.
Submission contact
- Director of Student Awards: ispncstudentawards@gmail.com
If you need a copy of the cover sheet form or have questions about acceptable transcript formats, contact the Director of Student Awards at the address above.