Awards & Scholarships

The William Z. Bennett Prize in Chemistry, established in 1924, is given at graduation to the student who has the highest standing in chemistry.

The John W. Chittum Prize in Chemistry, established in 1969, honors Dr. Chittum who taught in the Department of Chemistry for forty years; during the last nine years he served as Chairman. The prize is awarded in recognition of a student's outstanding work in organic chemistry and potential as a chemist.

The John W. Chittum Scholarship Fund, established in 1985, honors Dr. Chittum, an outstanding teacher, who taught his students the importance of organization, clear thinking, and integrity in all facets of one's life. The scholarship recipient must be a chemistry major who has completed one year of study at Wooster.

The Karen Diane Cross Memorial Award, established in 1984, is presented at graduation to a female chemistry or biology major who plans to pursue graduate work in medical or biochemical research and whose Senior Independent Study was noteworthy and creative. Special consideration is given to individuals whose years at the College were characterized by interest in other people and determination to meet personal goals.

The Herrick L. Johnston Scholarship in Chemistry honors the memory of Herrick L. Johnston, class of 1922, Sc.D. 1943, and was established by Margaret Vanderbilt Johnston Dettmers in 1982. Income from the fund is awarded annually on the basis of merit to an incoming first-year student who plans to major in chemistry.

The William Byron Ross Memorial Prize in Chemistry was established in 1952 by Mrs. William B. Ross, '15, in memory of her husband, a member of the class of 1914. It is awarded to the chemistry major who has shown outstanding originality, resourcefulness of thought, and initiative in Independent Study during the junior and senior years.

The Sisodia-Williams Prize in Biochemistry was established in 1997 by Dr. Sangram Sisodia, a member of the class of 1977, and honors Dr. Theodore Williams, a professor in the Department of Chemistry. The prize is awarded to an outstanding senior majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who plans to pursue a career in biomedical research.

The Cary R. Wagner Prize in Chemistry, established in 1966 by Dr. and Mrs. Cary R. Wagner, is awarded annually at the beginning of the senior year to that student who showed during the junior year the greatest aptitude and, in the opinion of a jury seems most likely to succeed in chemistry.

The Joseph E. Weber Premedical Award was endowed through the generosity of Joseph E. Weber. The award is given at graduation to a senior chemistry major who has been accepted by an M.D. degree-granting institution and who, in the opinion of the Department of Chemistry prehealth advisor(s), will become a compassionate and effective physician.

See the department's Annual Reports for recipients of the various awards.