Awards

Alumni Awards

John V. Osmun Alumni Professional Achievement Award in Entomology

Friends, former students, and peers established the John V. Osmun Alumni Professional Achievement Award as an expression of gratitude for John's many and enduring contributions. The Award is given annually to a degree holding alumnus of the Purdue University Department of Entomology. The Osmun Award's purpose is to perpetuate the standards of excellence exemplified by Purdue's entomology department. The award serves to recognize and promote both high achievement and professionalism in entomology and its related fields. The Award carries with it a plaque for the recipient. A permanent display bearing the award winners' names is located in the Entomology Department Conference Room at Purdue's West Lafayette campus.

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Graduate Awards

Virginia Ferris Memorial Endowment Graduate Student Research Award

Honoring the late Dr. Virginia Ferris, the first female faculty member in the College of Agriculture. Virginia was a pioneer in the field of nematology, recognized academic leader and valued member of the department. The Virginia Ferris Memorial Endowment Award recognizes a female graduate student considered an emerging leader in their field of academic study. The award is intended to support graduate research and leadership development in an area related to the student's thesis work.

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Student Awards

Outstanding Master’s Student Award

The Department of Entomology sponsors the Award for the Outstanding Master’s Student in order to recognize graduate students for excellence in their Master’s Program. The focus of this annual award is on the quality and contribution of the student’s thesis research, academic performance and service or involvement in the department/college/university.

Eligibility

Eligible graduate students are those who are pursuing a M.S. degree in the Department of Entomology and who have not previously received this award. The student must be nominated by either a faculty member or fellow graduate student and have been enrolled in a M.S. program during the previous spring or summer semester or currently enrolled. The student must have an approved Plan of Study on file and completed at least 75% of the Plan of Study courses. The student must be in good academic standing (no probation).

Application and Supporting Documentation

Nominations must be submitted as a single PDF document to the Department of Entomology’s graduate coordinator for consideration for this award. Applications must be received by the graduate coordinator on or before an annually established deadline for the receipt of nominations. The selection committee will be members of the graduate committee and awards committee who have not nominated an individual for the current competition.

Nomination / Application Packet

An application letter by the student (2 pages max) with the following information:

A brief description of the student’s research project that can be understood by scholars/scientists outside the topical field. It should include the title of the research project and briefly explain the significance, objectives, and creativity/novelty of their work and how he/she benefited from the thesis experience
A copy of the student’s complete curriculum vita, highlighting any publications and/or recognition of the thesis, grants, awards, and presentations. It should also highlight service to the department, college and/or
Recommendation letter from the major professor (including thesis research progress/status)
Recommendation letters from up to 2 additional references (this could be other students/post docs in the laboratory, colleagues or cooperators)
Copies of papers authored or co-authored by the student based upon the thesis

Award

The winner of the award will receive an appropriately inscribed plaque and a cash award of $1000. The recipient’s name will also be added to the permanent plaque maintained within the department. The award winner will be recognized at the Entomology Awards Recognition and Holiday Celebration in December.

Outstanding Doctoral Student Award

The Department of Entomology sponsors the Award for the Outstanding Doctoral Student in order to recognize graduate students for excellence in their Doctoral Program. The focus of this annual award is on the quality and contribution of the student’s dissertation research, academic performance and service or involvement in the department/college/university.

Eligibility

Eligible graduate students are those who are pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the Department of Entomology and who have not previously received this award. The student must be nominated by either a faculty member or fellow graduate student and have been enrolled in a Ph.D. program during the previous spring or summer semester or currently enrolled. The student must have an approved Plan of Study on file and been admitted to candidacy if still enrolled at Purdue. The student must be in good academic standing (no probation).

Application and Supporting Documentation

Applications or nominations must be submitted as a single PDF document to the Department of Entomology’s graduate coordinator for consideration for outstanding dissertation award. Applications must be received by the graduate coordinator on or before an annually established deadline for the receipt of nominations. The selection committee will be members of the graduate committee and awards committee who have not nominated an individual for the current competition.

Nomination / Application Packet

An application letter by the student (2 pages max) with the following information:

A brief description of the student’s research project that can be understood by scholars/scientists outside the topical field. It should include the title of the research project and briefly explain the significance, objectives, and creativity/novelty of their work and how he/she benefited from the dissertation experience
A copy of the student’s complete curriculum vita, highlighting any publications and/or recognition of the thesis, grants, awards, and presentations. It should also highlight service to the department, college and/or university
Recommendation letter from the major professor (including research progress/status)
Recommendation letters from up to 2 additional references (this could be other students/post docs in the laboratory, colleagues or cooperators)
Copies of papers authored or co-authored by the student based upon the thesis

Award

Department of Entomology Outstanding Service by a Student Award

The Department of Entomology has a long history of service and outreach to the university and community-at-large. We also have a strong service to our department and recognizing that service with the Outstanding Service Award for administrative, professional, clerical, and service Staff. In order to acknowledge the commitment by students who contribute to the department above and beyond their academic studies the department established the Outstanding Service by a Student Award.

The purpose of the Department of Entomology Outstanding Service by a Student Award is to recognize both an undergraduate or graduate student who has excelled in service to the Department of Entomology, university and community at large during the past academic year.

Eligibility

This award is open to all undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Entomology who are enrolled as full time students and have not previously received the award.

Application and Supporting Documentation

The nominee should have provided significant contributions that add to the quality of life in the workplace and/or the community’s appreciation of entomology. Examples of criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:

Goes “above and beyond” the normal expectations by participating or assisting in Departmental activities, departmental/college/university committees, and outreach
Impacts the department/community by positive actions, without thought of publicity or gain
Demonstrates initiative and provides leadership within the Entomology Department or Purdue community

Nominations should consist of list of the nominee’s activities that demonstrate outstanding service and commitment. Nominations may be submitted by any person familiar with the nominee’s contributions to the department and/or community, including the nominee. Nominations must be submitted as a single PDF document to the Department of Entomology’s Awards Committee to be considered for this award. Applications must be received by the Committee Coordinator on or before an annually established spring semester deadline for the receipt of nominations. The selection committee will be members of the awards committee who have not nominated an individual for the current competition.

Award

The winner of the award will receive an appropriately inscribed plaque and a cash award of $500. The recipient’s name will also be added to the permanent plaque maintained within the department. The award winner will be recognized at the Entomology Awards Recognition and Holiday Celebration in December.