Skip Navigation

Awards

OU Homepage
Search OU
The University of Oklahoma

Skip Side Navigation

Quicklinks

Awards

Our faculty and students (present and past) have received many awards. Some of these are extracted from the records maintained by the Provost's office and similar records maintained by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty Awards
Graduate Student Awards
Undergraduate Awards
- Fowler Prize
- Goldwater Scholar

ALFRED P. SLOAN FELLOW

The Sloan Research Fellowships seek to stimulate fundamental research by early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise. These two-year fellowships are awarded yearly to 126 researchers in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field.

1997 Sheena Murphy

DAVID ROSS BOYD PROFESSORSHIP

The David Ross Boyd Professorship was approved by the Board of Regents on June 14, 1945 and is named for the first President of the University. The first appointments were effective June 14, 1946. To qualify for a David Ross Boyd Professorship a faculty member must have consistently demonstrated outstanding teaching, guidance, and leadership for students in an academic discipline or in an interdisciplinary program within the University. When the professorship was first established, the policy provided that only two could be named in one year and the terms were for five years, though the individuals could be reappointed. The appointments, now, are for life.

2012 Michael Strauss
2011 Stewart Ryan
2004 Richard Henry
2002 John Cowan
1993 Michael Morrison

FELLOW OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY

Any active APS member is eligible for nomination and election to Fellowship. The criterion for election is exceptional contributions to the physics enterprise; e.g., outstanding physics research, important applications of physics, leadership in or service to physics, or significant contributions to physics education. Fellowship is a distinct honor signifying recognition by one's professional peers.

2014 Kim Milton
2012 Michael Santos
2012 Yun Wang
2011 Eddie Baron
2010 Doerte Blume
2010 Bruce Mason
1998 Howard Baer
1987 Michael A. Morrison

FELLOW OF THE INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS

Indicates a very high level of achievement in physics and an outstanding contribution to the profession.

2004 Kimball Milton

FOREIGN MEMBER OF THE ROYAL NORWEGIAN SOCIETY OF SCIENCES AND LETTERS ACADEMY

The purpose of The Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and Letters is to promote scholarship by arranging lecture meetings, demonstrations and debates on scholarly topics; by disseminating scholarly knowledge to the general public; by supporting scholarly projects, financially or otherwise; by honouring and rewarding services to scholarship; by publishing scholarly papers; by keeping contact with academies abroad and by international collaboration.

2010 Kimball Milton

FRED JONES FOUNDATION MASTER TEACHING AWARD

1989 Michael A. Morrison

GENERAL EDUCATION TEACHING AWARD

The General Education Teaching Award shall be given to the faculty member whose teaching is considered to have contributed most to the University-wide general education program. In addition to the quality of teaching, per se, other factors such as the faculty member's development of a new course or significant modification of an existing one to meet the criteria of the University-wide general education program may be considered.

2011 Braden Abbott
2009 John Cowan
2005 Bruce Mason
1996 Richard Henry
1994 Stewart Ryan

GEORGE LYNN CROSS RESEARCH PROFESSORSHIP

The Regents Professorship was established on November 12, 1943 on action by the University Regents. The first four appointments were effective January 1, 1944. Upon his retirement from the University in 1968, the Regents named this professorship for George Lynn Cross. The criteria for selection provide: to qualify for a George Lynn Cross Research Professorship a faculty member must have demonstrated outstanding leadership over a period of years in his or her field of learning or creative activity and have been recognized by peers for distinguished contributions to knowledge or distinguished creative work. The appointment is for life.

2014 Howie Baer
2011 Eddie Baron
2007 Kimball Milton
2005 Gregory Parker
1987 David Branch
1985 David Golden
1965 Chun Lin
1961 Richard Fowler
1944 J. Rud Nielsen

GOOD TEACHING AWARD

The Good Teaching Awards Program was introduced by the Standard Oil (Indiana) Foundation in 1966. The purpose of the program is to recognize excellence in teaching performance at the undergraduate level and to provide an incentive to achieve that goal. The University of Oklahoma has participated in the program since 1968. In 1973, the name of the foundation was changed to the AMOCO Foundation, Inc. and was changed to BP Amoco in the late 1990's. In 2003 the award was changed to the Good Teaching Award.

2008 Bruce Mason
2000 Michael Strauss
1990 Stewart Ryan
1989 John Cowan

HUMBOLDT PRIZE

The Humboldt Prize, also known as the Humboldt Research Award, is given by the Alexander Humboldt Foundation to internationally renowned scientists and scholars, and is currently valued at 60,000 euros with the possibility of further support during the prize winner's life.

2009 Jim Shaffer
1988 David Branch

KINNEY-SUGG OUTSTANDING PROFESSOR AWARD

The Kinney-Sugg Outstanding Professor Award in the College of Arts and Sciences was established through a generous contribution from Sandy Kinney and Mike Sugg. The recipient will receive a one-time award of $5,000 that may be used either as a salary supplement or in support of teaching and/or scholarship. The recipient will also have their name placed on a plaque for permanent display in the college office. The award is presented annually.

2009 Richard Henry
2005 John Cowan

LONGMIRE PRIZE FOR TEACHING

The Longmire Prize for Teaching in the College of Arts and Sciences is supported by the William Jr. & Jane Longmire Academic Enrichment Fund. The recipient will receive a one-time award of $1,500 and will also have their name placed on a plaque for permanent display in the college office. The award is presented annually.

2008 Bruce Mason

NANCY MERGLER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH MENTOR AWARD

This award recognizes faculty excellence in supporting undergraduate researchers. Mentor award recipients support the individual and professional development of undergraduate research students by providing them outstanding research experiences leading to peer-reviewed publications, public presentations, or juried performances of their scholarly work. These mentors also foster increasing independence as research scholars for their student protégé’s.

2015 Lloyd A Bumm

NSF CAREER AWARD

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. Such activities should build a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.

2019 Arne Schwettmann
2018 Nathan Kaib
2018 Alberto Marino
2014 Bruno Uchoa
2003 Lloyd Bumm
2000 Yun Wang
1999 Neil Shafer-Ray
1998 Sheena Murphy
1998 Matthew Johnson
1998 Michael Santos
1995 Kieran Mullen

OKLAHOMA MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

This award is from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Medals are awarded annually to outstanding Oklahoma teachers, one each at the elementary, secondary, community college/regional university and research university levels. In addition, the foundation presents a Medal for Excellence to an exceptional administrator from the elementary or secondary level.

1997 Michael A. Morrison

OU FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD

The OU Foundation in Excellence Teaching Award was established in September 2006 with the first awards presented in the Spring of 2007. Nominees for this award should excel in all aspects of their instructional duties including receiving course evaluations from students that place them within the top 15% of their college’s instructors. Instructional faculty who are nominated for this award should inspire their students within the classroom, and mentor and advise students outside the classroom. They should exemplify to their students and to the University community at large the importance of a considered and reflective life of learning and teaching.

2009 Stewart Ryan

PATENT AND INNOVATION

This award is given by the Office of Technology Development at OU.

2017 Michael B. Santos
2013 Lloyd Bumm
2012 Lloyd Bumm
2012 Tetsuya Mishima
2012 Michael Santos

PRESIDENTIAL PROFESSORSHIP

Presidential Professors are those faculty members who excel in all their professional activities and who relate those activities to the students they teach and mentor. These professors inspire their students, mentor their undergraduate and/or graduate students in the process of research and creative activity within their discipline, and exemplify to their students (both past and present) and to their colleagues (both at OU and within their disciplines nationwide) the ideals of a scholar through their endeavors in teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

2021 Nathan Kaib
2021 Ian Sellers
2020 Alberto Marino
2020 Ian Sellers
2019 Brad Abbott
2017 Bruno Uchoa
2016 John Wisniewski
2013 James P. Shaffer
2009 Kieran Mullen
2007 Matthew Johnson
2006 Michael Strauss
2005 Eric Abraham
2004 Deborah Watson
2003 Michael Santos
2001 Sheena Murphy
2000 David Branch
1999 Michael Morrison
1998 John Cowan
1997 Michael Santos
1996 Richard Henry

REGENTS' AWARD FOR PROFESSIONAL AND UNIVERSITY SERVICE

The Regents' Award for Superior Teaching was established June 6, 1963 with the first awards presented in the spring of 1964. Originally, the award was given to three individuals each year. In 1965, the policy was amended to provide a maximum of five and a minimum of three awards each year. In 1978, the awards were expanded to include superior accomplishment in any of the following: Teaching, Research and Creative Activity, Professional and University Service, with a maximum of nine awards in one year and with the understanding the majority of the awards will be given for superior teaching.

2005 Stewart Ryan

REGENTS' AWARD FOR SUPERIOR RESEARCH & CREATIVE ACTIVITY

The Regents' Award for Superior Teaching was established June 6, 1963 with the first awards presented in the spring of 1964. Originally, the award was given to three individuals each year. In 1965, the policy was amended to provide a maximum of five and a minimum of three awards each year. In 1978, the awards were expanded to include superior accomplishment in any of the following: Teaching, Research and Creative Activity, Professional and University Service, with a maximum of nine awards in one year and with the understanding the majority of the awards will be given for superior teaching.

2020 Karen Leighly
2016 James Shaffer
2009 Michael Santos
2006 Yun Wang
2001 Eddie Baron
1998 John Furneaux
1992 Gregory Parker
1991 Kimball Milton
1990 John Cowan
1988 Deborah Watson

REGENTS' AWARD FOR SUPERIOR TEACHING

The Regents' Award for Superior Teaching was established June 6, 1963 with the first awards presented in the spring of 1964. Originally, the award was given to three individuals each year. In 1965, the policy was amended to provide a maximum of five and a minimum of three awards each year. In 1978, the awards were expanded to include superior accomplishment in any of the following: Teaching, Research and Creative Activity, Professional and University Service, with a maximum of nine awards in one year and with the understanding the majority of the awards will be given for superior teaching.

2014 Kieran Mullen
2009 Braden Abbott
2004 Eric Abraham
2002 Michael Strauss
2001 Bruce Mason
1993 Richard Henry
1992 Stewart Ryan
1991 John Cowan
1989 Ryan Doezema
1987 Thomas Miller
1984 Michael Morrison
1973 Tibor Herczeg
1968 Jack Cohn

REGENTS' PROFESSORSHIP

Recipients of distinguished professorships are deemed to have achieved unusual distinction in teaching and guidance of students, research, or service. To qualify for a Regents' Professorship, a faculty member must have rendered outstanding service to the University, to the academic community, or to an academic or professional discipline, through extraordinary achievement in academic administration or professional service.

2004 Ryan Doezema
1985 James Burwell

SIMONS FELLOW IN THEORETICAL PHYSICS

The Fellows Programs provide funds to faculty for up to a semester long research leave from classroom teaching and administrative obligations. Such leaves can increase creativity and provide intellectual stimulation. The goal of the Simons Fellows Program is to make it easier to take such leaves, or to extend sabbatical leaves by an extra half year.

2013 Kimball Milton

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING FACULTY AWARD

Each year the Student Government Association recognizes outstanding faculty, administrators and staﬀ members throughout campus. Nominees must be nominated by an OU student. Students may nominate more than one candidate. All applications will be reviewed by the SGA Awards committee. This was originally titled as the UOSA Outstanding Faculty Award but UOSA was changed to SGA in 2013.

2013 Kieran Mullen
1999 Michael Strauss
1997 Stewart Ryan
1988 Thomas Miller

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATES' DISTINGUISHED LECTURER

1984 Michael A. Morrison

VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING RESEARCH ENGAGEMENT

Given annually to two faculty members on the Norman or Tulsa Campuses, in recognition for outstanding research, scholarship, and/or works of creative activity and expression that involves multiple disciplines, multiple OU campuses, or external collaborators (including those outside academia), locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.

2013 Matthew Johnson

Graduate Student Awards

APS SAKURAI AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PHD THESIS IN THEORETICAL PHYSICS

To recognize and encourage outstanding achievement in particle theory. The prize consists of $10,000, an allowance for travel to the meeting of the Society at which the prize is to be awarded, and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. It will be presented annually.

2012 Andre Lessa

HARWELL SCHOLARSHIP

[Need Description Here]

2021 Geo Jose
2021 Adam Moss
2021 Kevin Mack-Fisher
2020 Adam Moss
2020 Alekznder Kosakowski
2020 Saesun Kim
2020 Hora Mishra

HOMER L. DODGE FELLOWSHIP

[Need Description Here]

2021 Saesun Kim
2020 Amber Roepe
2019 Joseph Hyunseop Choi
2019 Dibyashree Sengupta
2018 Hamidreza Esmaielpour
2018 Soumya Bhattacharya
2018 Dylan Frizzell

KALBFLEISCH PRIZE

This scholarship is awarded to an deserving graduate student of strong character showing potential in the field of physics with a preference for students in High Energy physics. It was established in honor of the late George Kalbfleisch, former faculty member.

2021 Joseph Lambert
2020 Sang Wook Kim
2019 Amber Roepe
2018 Dylan Frizzell
2017 Othmane Rifki
2016 Hasan Serce
2015 Callie Bertsche
2014 Daniel Mickelson
2013 Ahmed Hasib
2012 Kesheng Yang
2011 Iroko K Abalo
2010 Andre Lessa
2009 Jef Wagner

NIELSEN PRIZE AWARD

(the text below is written on the plaque kept in the entrance hallway)
The Nielsen Prize Award
Established by former students to
recognize excellence in doctoral research in physics.
In honor of Research Professor Jens Rud Nielsen
who served the University of Oklahoma from 1924 to 1965.

NEIL SHAFER-RAY AWARD

This graduate student award was established by his family in memory of former faculty member Neil Shafer-Ray.

2021 Mohammed Shadman Salam
2020 Mohammadjavad Dowran
2019 Wenxiang Huang
2018 Evan Rich
2013 James Coker

PROVOST'S DISSERTATION AWARD

To recognize and reward outstanding performance by graduate students, the Office of the Provost initiated two annual awards, the Ph.D. Dissertation Prize and the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, in spring 1990. Departments submit nominees to the Graduate College. Prize recipients are determined by selection committees.

2016 Brian Friesen

ROGER DOXSEY TRAVEL PRIZE

The Rodger Doxsey Travel Prize—established through the support of his father, John Doxsey, and other friends, family, and colleagues—provides graduate students or postdocs within one year of receiving or receipt of their PhD a monetary prize to enable the oral presentation of their dissertation research at a winter meeting of the AAS.

2015 Brian Friesen

Undergraduate Awards

FOWLER PRIZE

(the text below is written on the plaque kept in the entrance hallway)
The Fowler Prize
Established in honor of Richard G. Fowler
George Lynn Cross Research Professor.
Colleague, Department Chairman,
and tireless promotor
of the department from 1946 to 1980;
by
his former students, colleagues, and alumni;
given annually to
the outstanding graduating senior
in
the Department of Physics and Astronomy
at the University of Oklahoma.

2017 Patrick Vallely
2016 Brandon Curd
2015 Hayden Nunley
2014 Michael Reynolds
2013 Savannah L. Logan
2013 Stephen E. Holleman
2012 Logan Maingi
2011 John P. Mueller
2011 Matthew R. Whiteway
2010 Christopher A. Schroeder
2009 Joe Dan Mitchell
2008 Susan M. Gosse
2007 Wesley R. Ketchum
2007 Sarah B. Lumpkins
2006 Emily S. Day
2005 Samuel A. Meek
2004 Daniel J. Stark
2003 Carl Fredrik Carlsson
2002 Geoffrey M. Lovelace
2001 Grant W. Biedermann
2000 Ryan Louis Ciolli
2000 John Thomas Farrar
1999 Abby Elizabeth Deans
1998 Ian B. Spielman
1997 Robert L. Coffie
1996 Daniel Brian Sinars
1995 Jeffery P. Winesett
1994 Nicole Belcher
1993 Adam K. Fisher
1992 John E. Olson

GOLDWATER SCHOLAR

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in these fields.

2017 Alison Roeth
2016 Patrick Vallely
2015 Brandon A Curd
2012 Adrian Lucy