Department Awards
All award recipients of department awards and scholarship are selected by committee. There is no application process.
Geneva Boone Award for Outstanding St. Mary’s Projects
Established in 1993 by Trustee Emerita Geneva Boone, who was instrumental in forming the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Foundation, to recognize one graduating senior per year for outstanding St. Mary’s Projects.
Recipients:
2019: Serena Medor
2017: Barry Liang
2016: Wyatt Paulishak
The Robert H. Goldsmith Award for Excellence in Chemistry
Named in honor of Robert H. Goldsmith, Professor Emeritus in Chemistry, to recognize distinguished service to the department and academic achievement in chemistry.
Recipients:
2021: Cecelia Wood
2019: Lynn Stevens
2017: Emma Skekel
2016: Anna McClain
2015: David Darby
2014: Kerry Alice Maguire
2013: Gregory L. Cooke
2012: Alice Han
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Award for Excellence In Biochemistry
Awarded by the department to recognize distinguished academic achievement and excellence in biochemistry.
Recipients:
2021: Amber Douglass
2019: Randy Larsen IV
2018: Erica Leyder
2017: Barry Liang
2016: Clarissa Rous
2015: Ashton Engdahl
2014: Samuel Michael Knecht
2013: Dana Leigh Grimm
2012: Alexandra Payton
American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
Each year, the CHEM305 instructor in consultation with the department, selects an undergraduate who has excelled in the area of analytical chemistry and shows great potential as a future analytical chemist to receive the ACS Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry.
The student selected is awarded a certificate of recognition signed by the Chairman of the ACS Analytical Chemistry Division and Editor of the Journal of Analytical Chemistry.
In order to be eligible, candidates must complete CHEM305 before their senior year.
Recipients:
2021: Julia Kraft
2016: Meghan Griffiths
2015: Christopher Knell
2014: Megan Catterton
2013: Samuel Knecht
2011: Kristen Reese
2010: Ana Peterson
2009: Daniel Powell
American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry
This award recognize achievement by undergraduate students in inorganic chemistry and to encourage further study in the field.
Recipient:
2021: Juliana Hancock
2018: Jennica Bark
2015: Ethan Hain
American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry
This award recognizes senior students who display a significant aptitude for organic chemistry and to encourage further interest in the field.
Recipient:
2021: Tabitha Fisanich
2018: Garrett Toth-Williams
2015: David Darby
American Chemical Society Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry
This award recognizes senior students who display a significant aptitude for physical chemistry and to encourage further interest in the field.
Recipient:
2021: Emma McNesby
2017: Sydney Cunniff
American Institute of Chemists
This award is given in recognition of a demonstrated ability, leadership, and professional promise in chemistry.
Recipient:
2021: Sophia Taczak
2019: Kenna Nguyen
2018: Caitlin Moore
2017: Nicolette Coluzzi
2014: Glenna Wong
1997: Neil Sharma
American Institute of Chemists, Biochemistry
This award is given in recognition of a demonstrated ability, leadership, and professional promise in biochemistry.
Recipient:
2018: Elena Donahue
2017: Imani Staton-McCrimmon
The Maryland Chapter of the American Chemical Society
The Maryland Chapter of the American Chemical Society award for excellence in chemistry by a graduating senior.
Recipients:
2021: Haley Logan
2019: Lindsey Power
2018: Maxwell Madden
2017: Leah Dignan
2016: Ethan Hain
2015: Harry Keene Kelderman
2014: Christopher Adams
2013: Jillian Jespersen
2012: Travis Lear
2011: Patrick Cody
2010: Neil Hawbaker
2009: Debbie Knot
2008: Michael Nelson
2007: Emily Oblath
2005: Gretchen White
2004: Matthew Buschman
2003: Sarah Russell
2002: Katie Prothero
2000: Victor Khangulov
1999: Kristina Borstnik
1998: Robert Reif
1997: Katherin Mullin
1996: Shannon Yoon
Chemical Society of Washington’s College Achievement Award
The Chemical Society of Washington’s College Achievement Award for demonstrated excellence in chemistry or biochemistry by a graduating senior.
Recipients:
2021: Cecelia Wood and Ashleigh Bonanno
2019: Cassandra Youshaw and Katie Robey
2018: Sydney Cunniff and Linnea Lundh
2017: Taylor Engdahl and Alex Rhoades
2015: Tessa Scheckelhoff
2012: Monica Liddi
2011: Robert Swyka
2010: Cynthia Lawson
1998: Ryan Anderson
1997: Brian Tenney
1996: An-ting Wei
1995: David Nizza
Paul Blanchette Chemistry Award
Established in 2012 to benefit rising seniors in chemistry who have demonstrated academic excellence and financial need.

Paul Blanchette was a faculty member at St. Mary’s College of Maryland for 40 years from 1975-2015. Paul taught physical chemistry, general chemistry, and many other courses. Paul received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross and earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Brown University. Between his two degrees he served in the U.S. Army, which included service in Vietnam. Paul was passionate about helping his students do their best and showed this in his teaching and his advising. The students appreciated his teaching style and often quoted some of his humorous statements. During advising, he would frequently have students in his office for hours talking about their life at St. Mary’s and beyond. Paul provided exceptional service on many committees at the College and served as chair of the chemistry department for many years. His long-term service on the Academic Policy Committee resulted in his being affectionately called “Mr. Academic Policy.” His care extended beyond the students and included his faculty colleagues. He was an exceptional mentor to many of the pre-tenure faculty members in the department.
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Recipients:
2021: Jennifer Jenkins
2019: Hana Yarbrough
2018: Garrett Toth-Williams
2017: Elizabeth Erickson
2016: Leah Dignan
2015: Anna McClain
2014: Max Flerlage and Harry Kelderman