Students Recognized at Annual Awards Banquet

A wide array of students and faculty as well as a few staff members gathered in the Garden Court of the Wilkinson Center on April 7 for the 2011 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s annual awards banquet.

Department Chair, Dr. Greg Burton, opened the evening by welcoming the graduating students in attendance.

“You’re certainly celebrating a marvelous accomplishment,” Dr. Burton said.

Graduate student Brian Anderson gave the invocation and blessing on the food, which was prepared and served by BYU Catering.

Following the meal, Dr. Burton began the awards with a special recognition of graduating undergraduate student Brandon Gassaway, who just received a prestigious fellowship from the National Science Foundation. The announcement and distribution of more than 25 awards to more awardees followed, including recognitions of top presenters in chemistry sections of the Spring Research Conference, and multiple scholastic and chemistry excellence awards. Amy Felsted and Aaron Pulsipher were recognized as Keith P. Anderson Outstanding Graduating Seniors.

“We have so many great students we couldn’t decide, so there are two,” Dr. Burton explained.

By Jessica Henrie

Photos by Alexis Hale

STUDENT AWARDS 2011

Spring Research Conference Section Winners

Recognizes the top presenters in chemistry sections of the Spring Research Conference.

Debolina Chatterjee

Joel Everett

Taylor Cline

Jared Hancock

Garrett Edmunds

Marie Killian

Corey Ellis

Rebecca Plimpton

KC Erb

Chris Woolstenhulme

ACS Analytical Chemistry Junior Award: Cy Credille

Recognizes an outstanding junior student with exceptional aptitude in analytical chemistry.

Catalyst Club Award: Katherine Elizabeth Redd

Recognizes an outstanding female junior student in chemistry or biochemistry. This award is sponsored by the Catalyst Club, an association of women who are current or emeritus members of the department or spouses of current or emeritus members.

Undergraduate Student Awards

Freshman Chemistry Major Award: Sadie Hirschi and Kurt Leininger

Freshman Chemistry Non-Major Award: Meredith Gaufin

Recognizes an outstanding student in the General Chemistry 111/112 sequence (majors) and an outstanding student in the 105/106/107 sequence (non-majors).

Organic Chemistry Major Award: Matthew Nielsen

Organic Chemistry Non-Major Award: Micah Turney

Recognizes an outstanding student in the Organic Chemistry 351M/352M sequence (majors) and an outstanding student in the 351/352 sequence (non-majors).

Chemistry Literature Award: Katie Andrus Pulsipher

Recognizes an outstanding student in Chemistry 391.

Hypercube Scholar Award: Matt Winterton

Recognizes an outstanding student for scholastic excellence in chemistry.

Physical Chemistry Award: Jacob Hedelius

Recognizes an outstanding student in the Physical Chemistry 462/463 sequence.

Biochemistry Award: Steven Kearnes

Recognizes an outstanding student in the Biochemistry 481M/482M sequence.

Analytical Chemistry Award: Sara Nielson

Recognizes an outstanding student in the Analytical Chemistry 521/523 sequence.

Inorganic Chemistry Award: Aaron Pulsipher

Recognizes an outstanding student in the Inorganic Chemistry 514/518 sequence.

Eliot A. Butler Service Award: Sam Matthews

Recognizes a student who has provided significant service to the department while maintaining a high performance in course work and professional activities. This award is named in honor of Eliot A. Butler who was a former professor, chair, dean and associate vice president.

James A. and Virginia S. Ott Undergraduate Research Award: Thomas Cook

Recognizes a student for academic achievement and potential for success in research. This award is named in honor of James A. and Virginia S. Ott who were master teachers.

Glenda L.M. Harr Undergraduate Research Award: Nathan Bushman

Recognizes a student with enthusiasm for chemistry and potential for success in research. This award is named in honor of the mother of an outstanding undergraduate teaching assistant who spent countless hours tutoring the donor of this award.

Keith P. Anderson Outstanding Graduating Seniors: Amy Felsted and Aaron Pulsipher

Recognizes outstanding graduating senior(s) for overall scholarship and professionalism and classroom performance. This award is named in honor of Keith P. Anderson, a physical chemist who taught at BYU for more than 35 years.

Graduate Student Awards

Loren & Maurine F. Bryner Award

Recognizes advanced continuing graduate students. This award is in honor of Loren C. Bryner, professor of chemistry for 38 years, and Maurine F. Bryner, a faculty member of Food Science and Nutrition.

Zhiwei Ma

Jie Xuan

Elisabeth Pound

Fan Yang

Anzi Wang

Jennie R. Swensen Award:Vinod Chaudhary and Chris Woolstenhulme

Recognizes advanced continuing graduate chemistry or biochemistry students. This award is named to honor Dr. Albert D. Swensen and his lifetime of contributions to the department and in memory of his wife, Jennie Romney Swensen.

Telford and Frank Woolley Memorial Research Award: Chad Rogers

Recognizes outstanding students who are conducting significant research in cancer or in other health-related areas. This award is named in honor of Telford Woolley, a physician who passed away prematurely due to cancer. When his father died, his name was added to the award.

Garth L. Lee Award: Brian Anderson

Recognizes an outstanding continuing graduate student for religious commitment, service and scholarship. This fellowship is named in honor of Professor Garth L. Lee, who was a professor of chemistry at Utah State University for many years.

Outstanding Graduating Ph.D. Student: Stacey Smith

Graduate Research Fellowships

Stanley & Leona Goates Fellowship - 20 hr. assistantship for Spring and Summer 2011: Chad Jones

Recognizes an advanced chemistry graduate student for outstanding scholarship and achievement in research. This award is named in honor of Stanley and Leona Goates, the parents of Dr. J. Rex Goates, professor of chemistry emeritus, and grandparents of Steven R. Goates, professor of chemistry.

BYU Graduate Studies Fellowship (formerly Alumni Gifts Fellowships) - stipend of ½ of a graduate assistantship: Na Li

Recognizes students for excellent scholastic records and progress toward completion of graduate degrees.

Bradshaw Organic Chemistry Fellowship - 10 hour research assistantship: Mark Acerson

Recognizes an advanced organic chemistry graduate student for scholarship and achievement in research. This award is named in honor of Jerald S. Bradshaw, an outstanding emeritus faculty member.

Roland K. Robins Fellowships - 20 hour research assistantship plus a cash award

Recognizes outstanding graduate students for outstanding scholarship and promise in research. These awards were created to honor Dr. Roland K. Robins, who was world-renowned for his creativity and activity in the syntheses of new medicinal compounds.

Pankaj Aggarwal

Jadd Shelton

Taylor Cline

Chris Tracy

Brad Loertscher

Charles E. & Margaret P. Maw Fellowship - 20 hour research assistantship plus a cash award: Mickey Miller

Recognizes an advanced chemistry graduate student for outstanding scholarship and achievement in research. This award is named in honor of Charles E. Maw, who was the founding chair of what is now the BYU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. He remained chair from 1907 to 1946. Margaret P. Maw was a teacher, school principal and prominent civic leader.

Undergraduate Research Awards

Given by department - award is $1500 for wages to do research during Spring and Summer 2011.

Curtis Allred

Benjamin Kwok

Kevin Wayne Ames

Matthew Jon Lelegren

Neil Anderson

Aman Makaju

Patrick Berg

Derek Manwaring

Jeff Clegg

Jacob Marx

Cy Credille

Sam Matthews

Terik Daly

Eliza Meeks

Daniel Dayton

Lindsey Mills

Michael Devonas

LaMoyne Tyler Mix

Alisa Edmund

Bradley Naylor

Corey Ellis

Teressa Paulsen

KC Erb

Trevor Pugh

Joel Everett

William Rankin

Matthew Halbert

Kevin Teuscher

Jacob Hedelius

Brendan Tobler

Makena Hinrichs

Michael S. Webb

Dan Jack

Jonathan P. Wright

Shawn Kunzler