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
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