College of Arts & Sciences Awards, 2024-2025

award

 

Departmental Named Awards

Departmental Named Awards are special awards created by departments to recognize students' specific achievements. Each award has its own criteria and significance, as explained below, and students are chosen by departmental faculty.

John E. Smith Memorial Scholarship
A well-known photographer throughout Chicago, and editor & chief of Africa-US Today magazine, John E. Smith ‘83 was a Dean’s List student while studying photography & television production at Chicago State. He also helped lead the Art Club, Channel One TV/Radio Club, the Student Government, and the Tempo newspaper. The Mahogany Scholarship Heritage Foundation set up this scholarship to honor his legacy.

Julian Campbell

The Marva Jolly Memorial Award for Excellence in Crafts

The Marva Jolly Memorial Award is presented annually to an Art major who shows great promise in the field of crafts. This award was established to honor Marva Jolly who was an Assistant Professor of Ceramics in Art & Design.

D'Lisa Gunn

Earl E. Sherff Memorial Award

This award is named in honor of former Biology department chair, Earl E. Sherff, to recognize an outstanding undergraduate Biology student.

Bryonna Jackson
Deyja Jackson
Deja Louis
Valeria Vizcaino

The Edward C. Collin Memorial Award

This award is named in honor of former Biology department chair, Edward C. Collin, to recognize an outstanding undergraduate Biology student.

Lisa Daniel
Daisy Hernandez
Annwhar Sefah

Herbert E. Smith Memorial Award

The Herbert E. Smith Memorial Award was established in his memory to honor minority science majors who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and intend to pursue graduate studies in the biological and physical sciences.

Joseph James

Marian Wilson-Comer Award

This award is given to an undergraduate Biology student who has demonstrated extensive departmental service and/or participation in student groups.

Festus Asante
Gabrielle Cole

Scheinbuks Scholars Award

This award is named in honor of Julian Scheinbuks, a former Lecturer in the Department of Biology and is merit based. Students must have a strong GPA and show a commitment to scholarship and service. 

Angelica Bahena
Dakota Bankole
Adaria Blackwell
Denesha Gorman
Daisy Hernandez
LaGail Jennett
Xavier Lyons 
Taylor Reese
Diana Sanchez
Trinity Thomas

American Institute of Chemists Outstanding Senior

The awards are given in recognition of a demonstrated ability, leadership, and professional promise. Candidates are chosen and nominated by their faculty members.

Ashley Saucedo

Award in Analytical Chemistry

This award recognizes exceptional performance in the area of Analytical Chemistry.

Ashley Saucedo

Award in Biochemistry

This award recognizes exceptional performance in the area of Biochemistry.

Ashley Saucedo

Award in Inorganic Chemistry

This award recognizes exceptional performance in the area of Inorganic Chemistry.

Mariana Reyes

Award in Organic Chemistry

This award recognizes exceptional performance in the area of Organic Chemistry.

Meisha Daniels

Award in Physical Chemistry

This award recognizes exceptional performance in the area of Physical Chemistry.

Meisha Daniels

Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering Studies Student Leadership Award

This honor is awarded to seniors majoring in chemistry, physics or engineering studies who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in student organizations and service to the department.

N'Mari Ward

 

Chemistry Persistence Award

This honor is given to a chemistry major who has exhibited true perseverance and determination in the completion of their degree.

Kevin Bulley

CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award

This award is given in recognition of outstanding academic performance by a freshman chemistry student.

Isabella Navarrete

Herbert E. Smith Memorial Award

The Herbert E. Smith Memorial Award was established in his memory to honor minority science majors who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and intend to pursue graduate studies in the biological and physical sciences.

Meisha Daniels

Physics Persistence Award

This honor is given to a physics major who has exhibited true perseverance and determination in the completion of their degree.

Xavier McGowan

Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society

Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics; to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels; to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues, and the public; and to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics. Sigma Pi Sigma's mission is not completed in the induction ceremony with the recognition of academic accomplishment. In the four dimensions of honor, encouragement, service, and fellowship, the mission of Sigma Pi Sigma takes a longer view.

N'Mari Ward
Thomas Sieka
Laszlo Toth

Strengthening Community in Physics

The Strengthening Community in Physics (SCP) initiative and scholarship program is designed to support student success through cohort building and a multi-pronged mentoring network. Funded by TEAM-UP Together, this initiative aims to foster a strong sense of belonging and engagement among physics students at CSU. 

Star Bolden

Zarrhia Fye

Xavier McGowan

Harriet Omodayo

Thomas Sieka

Laszlo Richard Toth

N'Mari Ward 

Creative Achievement Award in Media Arts & Theatre

This award is granted to graduating seniors in the Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre who have shown outstanding creative achievement in Media Arts and Theatre.

Robii Bijou
Robert Pierce Blount IV
Janiela McKinney
Gabrielle Razo
Pearlie Reid
Trumaine Smith
Sebastian Montoya
London Wesley

Creative Achievement Award in Theatre

This award is granted to students in the Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre who have shown outstanding creative achievement in Theatre.

Robii Bijou
Robert Pierce Blount IV
Pearlie Reid
Gwendolyn Williams

Special Recognition in Public Relations

This award is granted to graduating seniors in the Department of Communications, Media Arts & Theatre who have shown outstanding achievement in the field of public relations.

Jad Alhijazin
Lucas Fontana

Outstanding Achievement Award in Computer Science

This award is given to the students who maintained a 4.0 GPA in the Computer Science graduate program.

Wasisu Adedamola
Shivadeep Bandari
Partha Praveen Reddy Bhoomireddy
Sushma Maganti
Faisal Masood
Raga Sindhu Mathukumilli
Saichand Mekala
Chandu Prasad Reddy Potukanuma
Ramya Chandrika Draksharapu
Akhila Patlolla
Pooja Tanneru
Nikhil Chowdary Thummalapalli
Neha Khanam Pathan

Outstanding Achievement Award in Computer Science – Undergraduates

This award is given to the students who maintained a 4.0 GPA in the Computer Science undergraduate program.

Isa Abdussalam
Luka Assaf
Yonathan Getachew
Karly Klaer
Trent Lewis
Xenia Martin
Boris Mojsa
Abraham Workalemahu

Outstanding Achievement Award in Library and Information Science

This award is presented in recognition of outstanding achievement during their graduate studies in Library and Information Science. These students have maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Chris Cairoli
Joy Fine
Connie Hemrich
Nathan Jernigan
Emily Kaye
Andrew Matsas
Taylor Morris
Linnea Phillips
Henrique Rodrigues
Tom Tervanis
Macklyn Thornburgh
Breen Tivnan

Outstanding Achievement Award in Technology and Performance Improvement Studies

This award is given to the students who maintained a 4.0 GPA in the program.

Tomas Menchaca

Steven E. Fitch Foundation Scholarship

Steven E. Fitch and his wife Cynthia graduated from Chicago State University in 1993. Blessed with scholarships as students, Cynthia wants to honor her husband’s long legacy of giving back and his passion for Computer Science and Sports Journalism by blessing CSU students in these fields. Steve was a computer science instructor at Southland College Prep, founded the Amateure Sports News Network, authored The Digital Divide, and was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Maxine Jones

Byron and Kyron Lipscomb Excellence in Writing Award
Celebrating her distinguished career as an English Professor and administrator dedicated to student support and success at Chicago State University, Dr. Delores Lipscomb named this scholarship for her son and grandson in 2025. The scholarship recognizes an English major of Sophomore or Junior standing who has demonstrated high academic achievement, outstanding analytical and critical writing skills, and who has been engaged in the department, the university, and the community. 

Nathanael Concepcion


Creative Writing Award in English
The Creative Writing Award in English is awarded to an English major with a 3.5 or above grade point average.

Angela Walton


Irwin J. Suloway Graduate Paper in English
The Irwin J. Suloway Graduate Paper awarded is given to a graduate student with a 3.5 or above grade point average who has completed a substantial research paper, independent study, or capstone project under faculty mentorship.

Jacqueline Martinez


Wilbur Hatfield Memorial Award
The W. Wilbur Hatfield Memorial Award is awarded in honor of W. Wilbur Hatfield, former chairman of the Department of English, for high achievement in English.  

Zaria Glover

Herbert Rau Award in Geography

The Herbert Rau Geography Graduate Award is in memory of Dr. Herbert Rau, a former professor in the Geography Program who had a positive impact on his many students in the graduate Geography Program over the years. The award is given annually to a graduate student who maintains an exceptional commitment to the discipline and demonstrates excellence in geographic inquiry.

Desaray Crosby

The History & Africana Studies MA’AT Award

The Herbert Rau Geography Graduate Award is in memory of Dr. Herbert Rau, a former professor in the Geography Program who had a positive impact on his many students in the graduate Geography Program over the years. The award is given annually to a graduate student who maintains an exceptional commitment to the discipline and demonstrates excellence in geographic inquiry.

Ayanna Dixon

Joseph Chada Memorial Graduate Award

The Joseph Chada Memorial Award is presented to a history graduate student who shows great promise of scholarly achievement in historical research.

Phyllis Walker

The W.E.B. DuBois Sociology Award

This award is presented to a senior-level sociology major who has demonstrated academic promise and success and who embodies the principles of sociological inquiry. 

Alexander Raiford

Research Award in Psychology
These students have shown distinction in research in the field of psychology and have represented Chicago State University and the Department of Psychology and Counseling at regional research conferences, demonstrating their excellent presentation skills and even winning an award for Best Oral Presentation at the annual Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, Indiana.

Cornesia Graham

Regginald Mickens-Ridgenal
Ayicia Murray


Rising Scholar in Psychology
This student demonstrates resilience and perseverance in their academic work, and incredible improvements in social, emotional, and psychological intelligence.

Eric French

Gladys Scott Community Service Award

This award recognizes an outstanding Chicago State University Master of Social Work student and continues the legacy of Gladys Scott, a dedicated community and political activist and motivational group worker from Chicago’s Hyde Park.  Dr. Doris Perry, Director of the Chicago State MSW program from 1998 to 2006, established the scholarship in her mother’s memory in 2001.          

Milandria Watts

Dr. Mikal Rasheed Scholarship
This award, initiated by the Alumni of the MSW program at Chicago State University, recognizes an outstanding Chicago State University Master of Social Work student and continues the legacy of Dr. Mikal Rasheed, former Director of the Department of Social Work from which he retired in 2016. Throughout his Social Work Career, Dr. Rasheed was devoted to community activism, men’s mental health, and the complexities and mysteries of spirituality. Dr. Rasheed made his transition on July 7, 2021.

Le'Tavia Hill

 

Departmental Honor & Merit Awards

Departmental Merit and Honors Awards are presented to undergraduate students chosen by each department in recognition of the students’ high academic achievement in their particular disciplines. Departments with graduate programs may also present graduate awards to graduate students chosen by the department in recognition of the students’ high academic achievement in their particular fields.

Certificate of Honor

Danina Hughes

Certificate of Merit

Jennie Ellis
Katie Fountain
Mo'Nay Mosely

Certificate of Honor

Valeria Vizcaino

Certificate of Merit

Daisy Hernandez
Annwhar Sefah
Destiny Span

Graduate Award

Angelica Bahena
Diana Sanchez

Certificate of Honor

Ashley Saucedo

Certificate of Merit

Meisha Daniels
Mariana Reyes
Karoline Riisnaes

Certificate of Honor

Maxine K. Jones

Certificate of Merit

Emiliano Casadero
Arturo Maximiliano Sandoval Dominguez
Kurtis Toledo

Graduate Award

Tanvi Anantula
Sushma Durgapu
Ranadeep Minupala

Certificate of Honor

Larry D. Leggett

Certificate of Merit

Desiree L. Castro
Alyssia A. Darko
Leonardo Diaz

Graduate Award

Domonique D. Austin
Frank S. Sheets

Certificate of Merit

Hedessah Sanders

Graduate Award

Ashley Morris
Andrea Parker

Certificate of Honor

Harriet Omodayo

Certificate of Merit

Rayah Taylor

Graduate Award

Desaray Crosby
Matthew Pawlowski

Certificate of Honor

Christophe Horton

Certificate of Merit

Gregory Carranza
Victor Horne

Graduate Award

Sharessa Brookins
Marlon Conway
Appreccia Faulkner

Graduate Award

Blanca Hurley
Ingrid Lindstrom
Patrick Sullivan

Certificate of Honor

Khyree M. Beyah

Certificate of Merit

Ijahanna Davis
Dahveed Dennis
Ericka Moore

Graduate Award

Geri Garmon

Certificate of Honor

Gabrielle Razo

Certificate of Merit

Jad Alhijazin
Trumaine Smith
Gwendolyn Wiliams

Certificate of Honor

Trinity Roberts

Certificate of Merit

Kevon Carter
Donovan Lloyd
David Palafox

Certificate of Honor

Kennedy Whitlow

Certificate of Merit

Star Bolden
Chasity Noble
Harriet Omodayo

Certificate of Honor

Abimbola Aladetuyi

Certificate of Merit

Tracy Beal
Alexis Meriweather
Kaylen Poindexter

Certificate of Honor

Alexander Raiford

Certificate of Merit

Kyndal Jones
Jelecia Gladney

Certificate of Honor

Mycah Spells

Certificate of Merit

Zaria Glover