Freshman Scholarships:

     Apply for biology scholarships online at http://administration.sru.edu/finaid/FRappFEB07.htm
or contact the Office of Financial Aid, 107 Maltby Center, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA, 16057. Please make certain that you provide the letters of recommendation and statement required if you wish to be considered for biology scholarships. 


Biology Honors Scholarship

This scholarship is funded from royalties received through the sale of the Biology 100, Introductory Biology Laboratory Manual by Drs. Medve, Barr and Pugliese, and the Principles of Biology Laboratory Manual by Drs. Frank Hoffman and Frank Pugliese. Scholarships in the amount of $1000 are usually awarded in those years when the Thomas John Scholarship and James Steel Memorial Scholarships are not offered.  Applicants must be in the top 20 percent of their high school class or have a combined SAT score of at least 1000 or a composite ACT score of 23 or better. Applicants are required to send three letters of recommendation with their application. These letters should attest to the applicant's character, potential for academic success, dependability, and emotional maturity. A statement describing long-range goals, both professional and personal, should be attached to the application.  
 

Thomas W. Gaither Scholarship

This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. Thomas W. Gaither, biology professor since 1968. One scholarship in the amount of $1000 will be awarded on an annual basis. Preference for the scholarship will be given to an entering student who will major in biology with the intention of becoming a professional biologist or biology teacher, or enter the medical field. The successful applicant must have a minimum score of 1000 on the SAT and have graduated in the upper quarter his/her class. A demonstrated ability and desire to learn will be expectations of the successful applicant. Scholarship application must include a letter addressing the above criteria, two letters of recommendation, and a one-half page, single spaced essay setting forth the applicant's most significant life experience. Evidence or commentary on financial need would also be useful.


 Thomas H. John Scholarship

This scholarship is named in honor of Thomas H. John, a member of the Department of Biology at Slippery Rock University for 26 years. Established as a gift from Mr. John upon his retirement in 1979, each scholarship is valued at $1250 per year. The scholarship is initially awarded every four years, and it is renewable if the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and remains a biology major.  Applicants must be United States citizens in the top 20 percent of their high school class with a combined SAT score of at least 1,000 or a composite ACT score of 23 or better. Applicants are required to send three letters of recommendation with their application. These letters should attest to the applicant's character, potential for academic success, dependability, and emotional maturity. A statement describing long-range goals, both professional and personal, should be attached to the application. Preference will be given to students with an interest in ecology.


 James Steel Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is named in honor of James Steel, a biology major who died tragically in a house fire on March 3, 1979. The scholarship was established from gifts given in his memory by family and friends. The scholarship is initially awarded every four years, and it is renewable if the recipient maintains a 3.0 GPA and remains a biology major. Applicants must be United States citizens in the top 20 percent of their high school class with a combined SAT score of at least 1,000 or a composite ACT score of 23 or better. Applicants should submit three letters of recommendation with their application. These letters should attest to the applicant's character, potential for academic success, dependability, and emotional maturity. Preference will be given to students from Westmoreland County.  



Upperclass Scholarships:

     To apply for upperclass biology scholarships, please submit:
(1) a resume which includes academic and work experiences, previous honors received, extracurricular activities, and career interests, and
(2) two faculty references in sealed envelopes
to Dr. William R. Sigmund, Chair of the Department of Biology Scholarship Committee, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA, 16057, by March 15.
NOTE:  If you are applying for the Pugliese Scholarship, please include the essay described above.  
Duplicate reference letters are not required to apply for multiple scholarships.
 


Frank A. Pugliese "ROCK" Scholarship

This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Frank Pugliese, a dedicated faculty member of the Department of Biology for 32 years, and was endowed by his family, colleagues, and many students whose lives he touched. The scholarship, which carries a stipend of $1250, is awarded to a current junior with a minimum GPA of 2.75 who exhibits a strong work ethic and has provided service to the department as a lab assistant, biology tutor, or through Beta Beta Beta, the biology honorary. An essay describing how his/her experience as a Slippery Rock University biology major has enriched his/her life is required.


William A. Ralston Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of William A. Ralston to honor the 1901 Slippery Rock University biology graduate. The scholarship is available to current upperclass biology majors and is valued at $500.


 Genevieve M. Tvrdik Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Dr. Genevieve M. Tvrdik, the Department of Biology's ornithologist and entomologist from 1978-1998, with the goal of providing financial assistance to students demonstrating scholarship as biology majors at the university level. One scholarship in the amount of $500 is awarded to a sophomore or junior biology major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.  The award is renewable, with the maintenance of a minimum 3.0 GPA as a biology major, for the remaining years of a four-year program. Preference is given to students with interests in ecology or behavior. 

The Beta Beta Beta Alumni Scholarship

The Beta Beta Beta Alumni Scholarship ($1000) is available to all upperclass biology majors. It has been funded by the contributions of alumni of the Department of Biology. Preference will be given to an individual who has provided service to the department, typically by participation in Beta Beta Beta. Although it is non-renewable, recipients can reapply for the scholarship the following year.

The A. P. Vincent Scholarship
 
The A. P. Vincent Scholarship was established in memory of Arthur (AP) Vincent, a 1913 SRU Alum and former professor at SRU, after whom Vincent Science Hall is named. It was endowed by his son Ed and Ed’s wife Sophie (an SRU grad).  The scholarship, which carries a stipend of $1000., is awarded to a current junior with a minimum QPA of 3.0.

The John P Phillips Scholarship

This scholarship ($750, possibly increasing with interest on endowment) was established in his memory by his family and friends following his death in 2005. John received a BA in Biology in 1969 and his Masters in Biology in 1971 at SRU, and was a charter member of Beta Beta Beta at SRU, in 1970.  John worked for 30 years with Exxon as an Environmental Engineer.

The William R. Sigmund PJAS Award

This award was established by the Region IX Committee of PJAS in 2007 in recognition of Dr. Sigmund's ten year commitment as the University Coordinator of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science annual meeting. A $200 cash award is given each year to a biology major interested in teaching.

 

 Sophomore Biology Honors Scholarship

At the conclusion of the freshman year, $500 scholarships are awarded to the two sophomore biology majors with the highest cumulative grade-point averages. To be considered for these awards, students must: (1) be enrolled as an active biology major; (2) have completed 25-40 semester hours at Slippery Rock University; (3) be enrolled as a B.A. or B.S. biology major for the following fall semester; (4) have completed Principles of Biology, and General Botany or General Zoology or Genetics and General Chemistry I and II along with their respective labs; and (5) possess a minimum GPA of 3.5. The cumulative GPA at the conclusion of the freshman year will be the determining factor in awarding the scholarship. Ties will be broken by comparing grades earned in all biology courses, then chemistry, then mathematics. If a tie still exists, the final percentage earned in Principles of Biology will be used. Transfer grades will not be considered in calculating the GPA; however, transfer courses can be substituted for those listed in #4 above. Students do not need to apply for this scholarship.

 

Awards