Physics Funds

Total funds:  14

Dr. Carl J. Wenning Endowed Physics Teacher Education Scholar Award

Carl Wenning retired from ISU on May 31, 2008. Pursuant to his goal of developing the best physics teacher education program in the nation, he and his wife Carolyn established the Dr. Carl J. Wenning Endowed Program for Physics Teacher Education Scholars. The purpose of this program will be to provide resources for majors in the field of physics teacher education to highly qualified program graduates. The materials will be chosen by the program coordinator based on the needs of the average new physics teacher in an Illinois public school and presented to each new teacher upon their graduation from the physics teaching program or when all conditions set forth in this agreement are met. Assets of this endowment are invested in the ISU Endowment Investment Pool. Carl Wenning retired from Illinois State University on May 31, 2008. Pursuant to his goal of developing the best physics teacher education program in the nation, he and his wife Carolyn established the Dr. Carl J. Wenning Endowed Program for Physics Teacher Education Scholars. The purpose of this program is to provide resources for majors in the field of physics teacher education to highly qualified program graduates. The materials will be chosen by the program coordinator based on the needs of the average new physics teacher in an Illinois public school and presented to each new teacher upon their graduation from the physics teaching program or when all conditions set forth in this agreement are met.

Additionally Supports: Wenning Endowment

Robert C. Shears Endowment

The purpose of the Robert C. Shears Endowment is to provide student scholarship support. Each candidate for the endowment must be enrolled in good standing at ISU, have earned a minimum of 30 credit hours at ISU, be a declared major in the Department of Physics preference will be given to students with demonstrated interest in energy and/or enviornmental issues), and use the scholarship award to defray educational expenses. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Robert C. Shears Endowment provides scholarship support for a Physics student enrolled in good standing at ISU, who has earned a minimum of 30 credit hours. Preference is given to students with demonstrated interest in energy and/or environmental issues.

Additionally Supports: Shears Endowment

Illinois State University Solar Car Team

The Illinois State University Solar Car Team is a student-led organization that designs, builds, and races solar vehicles against teams from around the world. The team consists of a multidisciplinary group of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty who volunteer time and energy to advance their skills and the promise of renewable energy. The award-winning team successfully builds a new solar car every five years. Your gift will help to provide technology and equipment, as well as cover expenses for travel to national collegiate competitions.

Physics Department General Fund

The Physics General Fund supports the activities, programs and operations associated with the Physics Department.

Harold J. Born Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Harold J. Born Memorial Scholarship was established to encourage incoming freshman to come to Illinois State University and major in Physics.

Physics Student Excellence Fund

The Physics Student Excellence Fund (previously Women in Physics Scholarship) provides financial support in the form of scholarships, professional development, or research funds for students majoring in Physics.

Physics Alumni Scholarship

This endowment was established with support of alumni and friends of the Department of Physics to provide scholarship support to physics majors. Competition is open to all students who have been conditionally admitted to Illinois State University as physics majors. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. This endowment was established with support of alumni and friends of the Department of Physics to provide scholarship support to physics majors. Competition is open to all students who have been conditionally admitted to Illinois State University as physics majors.

Professor Kenneth E. Jesse Endowment Fund

*** Needs Purpose. This scholarship was established by Kenneth and Sandra Jesse. Ken taught in the Physics Department [from 1967 -1994] and saw the department and the University grow in size and stature, with national and international recognition. He guided the experimental work of two students who earned master's degrees, coauthored, with physics professor Glen Greenseth, the department's lab manual, and wrote three study guides to accompany general physics textbooks and a two- volume, calculus-based text titled, "University Physics." The purpose of this fund is to support student research or other significant projects as guided by faculty. It may be used to obtain hardware items. His hope is that this endowment will help to continue the Physics Department and University's growth, especially in the area of student research projects.

Dr. Robert D. Young Award

The Dr. Robert D. Young Award was established by Dr. Robert D. Young and BJ Young in 2024 in order to support undergraduate students in the Department of Physics. This scholarship is awarded to incoming freshmen and is renewable for an additional year provided students are enrolled in the Department of Physics.

Michael F. Canney Endowed Scholarship in Science

This endowment was established in 2004 by Michael F. Canney, who earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Illinois State University in 1984. The scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in physics. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment Investment Pool. The Michael F. Canney Endowed Scholarship in Science was established in 2004 by Michael F. Canney, who earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Illinois State University in 1984. The scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in physics.

James and Deborah Riggs Scholarship in Physics

Provide an annual scholarship for a Physics major. Scholarship will be awarded as a one-time award.

George Skadron Computational Physics Fund

This endowment was established in 1997 in honor of the retirement of George Skadron through gifts from colleagues and friends. The fund directly supports undergraduate physics majors, primarily in the computer physics sequence, through three awards: research, classroom achievement, and service, as well as one competitive prize. Assets of this endowment are invested in the Illinois State University Endowment The George Skadron Computational Physics Fund was established in 1997 in honor of the retirement of George Skadron through gifts from colleagues and friends. The fund directly supports undergraduate physics majors, primarily in the computer physics sequence, through three awards: research, classroom achievement, as well as one competitive prize.

Additionally Supports: Skadron Computational Physics Award for Class Achievement, Skadron Computational Physics Award for Research, Skadron Computational Physics Award for Service, Skadron Physics Scholarship, Skadron Prize