Departmental Award Recipients

The department recognizes outstanding students and faculty each year at its spring departmental graduation ceremony. Immediately below is a link to this past spring's winners. To read more about the awards and past recipients, please explore the tabs below.

Winners Past and Present

Undergraduate Awards

The Imogene Jacobs Awards

Imogene Jacobs graduated from the Department of Psychology and developed a deep affection and respect for the department, so much so that, upon her death in 1987, her will contained an endowment for undergraduate student awards. The endowment she initiated has helped to support decades of excellence among students in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Imogene Jacobs Award winners

Carly Glasson, 2022
Avery Brogle, 2021
Ziwei Cheng, 2021
Rebekah Benjamin-Pollak, 2020
Bailey Starritt, 2019
Marrissa (Dani) Grant, 2018
Chiara Nielson, 2017
Robert Eastwood, 2017
Caleb Bay, 2016
Timothy Helmuth, 2015
Laura Meyer, 2014
Kristen Gray, 2013
Ariel Aguilar, 2012
Allicia Purkey, 2011
Serhiy Chumachanko, 2011
Natalie Wheeler, 2010
Jessica Pitts, 2009
Meghan Wright, 2008
Cotton Widdicombe, 2007
Limor Fraenkel, 2006
Amanda Bowles, 2005
Michael Levin, 2004
Desirae Vannorsdel, 2003
Shawna Ward, 2002
Sarah Sasse, 2001
Russell Jackson, 2000
Shirley Bergman, 1999
Joseph Ungemah, 1998
Kari Hopper, 1997
Chad Hartley, 1996
Kurt MacDonald, 1995
Krista Penn, 1994
Matthew Franowicz, 1993
S. Lynn McKinley, 1992
Mechelle Spence, 1991
Ernest Ortiz, 1990
Kari Robinson, 1989
Kristin Maurer, 1988

Imogene Jacobs Psychology Thesis Award winners

Ziwei Cheng, 2022
Rebekah Benjamin-Pollak, 2021
Montana Ploe, 2020
Christina Guarino, 2019
Grace Merritt, 2019
Mason Eastwood, 2018
Chiara Nielson, 2018
Lucas Hayne, 2017
Joy Walters, 2016

The Neuroscience Thesis Award

The Neuroscience Thesis Award is given to a Neuroscience major who has completed and defended the best honors thesis in Neuroscience.

Neuroscience Thesis Award winners

Cristina Lau, 2022
Anna McTigue, 2022
Phiip Thorn Coleman, 2021
Ryan Sullivan, 2020
Kylia Ahuna, 2019
Haley Lippman, 2019
Laurel Todd, 2018
Isabella Fallon, 2017
John Logan Brock, 2016
Claire Koljack, 2016
Hardik Patel, 2016

The Psychology/Neuroscience Leadership Award

The Psychology/Neuroscience Leadership Award is given to a student who has contributed the most to the leadership and functioning of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Psychology/Neuroscience Leadership Award winners

Gigi Hunn, 2022
Taylor Rivet, 2021
Lizzie Hoelscher, 2020
Mancy Shah, 2019
Isabella (Bella) Conte, 2018

The David E. Drutz Scholarship

David E. Drutz was a student at CU Boulder, and received his B.A. in Psychology in 1979. He then went on to become an Industrial/Organizational psychologist, and practiced in the field for 30 years as a technical instructor for a number of large information system integrators before his untimely death in 2015. He always held a special place in his heart for CU Boulder, and this scholarship was set up at the time of his death to benefit students from the department that he cared so much about.

David E. Drutz Scholarship winners

Cary Glasson, 2022
Camden McFarland, 2022
Rivers Nunn, 2022
Eric "Cody" Moxam, 2021
Charlotte Psaila, 2021
Bryn Tillman, 2021
Sophie Zaugg, 2021
Rafael Orozco Leon, 2020
Julia Schimdt, 2020
Christina Fang, 2020
Kiara Rodriguez, 2020
Logan Collins, 2019
Katelynn Fegan, 2019
Elizabeth Hoelscher, 2019
Bailey Starritt, 2019
Alexandra Montgomery, 2018
Bailey Starritt, 2018
Karen Uvina, 2018
Sarah Vacek, 2018

The Bourne/Yaroush Award

This award is given to promising sophomores and juniors with an interest in cognitive psychology. This scholarship was generously established by Dr. Lyle Bourne, Jr., and Dr. Rita Yaroush. Drs. Bourne and Yaroush have deep, long-lasting connections to the University of Colorado and have long been committed to the field of Psychology and our department. In fact, Professor Emeritus Bourne was a Professor of Psychology in the department for many years, as well as serving as its Chair and the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science before his retirement. Their gift represents a significant increase in scholarship opportunities available to our undergraduate students.

Bourne/Yaroush Award winners

Ashanti Cannon-Turner, 2022
Rivers Nunn, 2022
Katherine Teague, 2022
Dheevena "Dheenu" Bachu, 2021
Carly Glasson, 2021
Taylor Smith, 2021
Rafael Orozco Leon, 2020
Rebekah Benjamin-Pollak, 2020

Building Equity in the Community of Academics (BECA ) Fellowship

This award is given to a Psychology or Neuroscience major who produces a high quality honors thesis. The fellowship was established by Angela Bryan of the Psychology and Neuroscience faculty and Kent Hutchison, formerly on the faculty but now at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Eligible students will be under-represented minority, first-generation, and/or low-income students who completed an honors thesis in Psychology or Neuroscience or are in the process of completing a thesis during the academic year of the award. The application will consist of the student’s CV, a one page summary of the thesis project, and a letter from the student’s honors thesis advisor. Priority consideration is given to students who contribute a perspective that informs the Latina/o experience. If this is a factor, please describe either in the description of the project or the letter from the advisor.

BECA Fellowship winners

Maya Palmer, 2022
Taylor Solis-Collazos, 2022

Past awards that no longer exist and/or have been superceded by one of the above:

Psi Chi Award (formerly the Fryberger and Heckendorn Psychology Club Award)

Jared Muenks, 2017
Spencer Young, 2016
Alexandra Maddi, 2014
Noreen Mian, 2013
Whitney Lyle, 2012
Zachary Millman, 2011
Stephanie Pace, 2011
Cassandra Scott, 2010
Margaret Tillquist, 2009
Margaret Tillquist, 2008
Tara Nyhuis, 2007
Sarah Young, 2007
Renea Nilsson, 2006
Kristin Stupiansky, 2006
Rebecca Smith, 2005
Matthew Akey, 2004
Benjamin Pressley, 2003
Kathryn Barchas, 2002
Karen Van Pala, 2001
Julie Martin, 2000
Regan Alpert, 2000
Jamie Cambronne, 1999
Lee Marszycki, 1998
Ryan Smith, 1997
Erin West, 1997
Anna Deas, 1997
Bradley Brenner, 1996
David French, 1995
Alyssa Rowland, 1994
Louis Bardach, 1993
Nancy Leech, 1992
Christine Martz, 1991
Michelle Cozzens, 1991
Dawn Iaconis, 1990
Julie Lankford, 1989
Karen Hamady, 1988
Lisa Maas, 1987
Peter Albert, 1986
Holly Goodale, 1985
Meg Roukema, 1984
Christopher Butler, 1984
Ann Hull, 1983
Nancy Weaver, 1982
Pamela Warnock, 1982
Matthew Sharps, 1981
Jan Napper, 1980
Sarah Gaskill, 1980
Donna Rini, 1979
Dawn Wilson, 1979
Dawn Wilson, 1978
Robert Steele, 1978

Karl F. Muenzinger Psychology Award

Lisa Greene, 2013
Anna Gitarts, 2013
Annette Grotheer, 2012
Sophia Levis, 2012
Natalie Wheeler, 2011
Tatiana Settles, 2010
Seerat Poonia, 2010
Frances Carr, 2009
Blu Astbury, 2008
Jessica Senn, 2007
Victoria Tate, 2007
Mary Rice, 2006
Sophia Zavrou, 2005
Peter Bergmann, 2004
Samantha Pelican, 2003
Kristen Rahbar, 2003
David Deffenbacher, 2002
Karen Murphy, 2001
Arnica Buckner, 2000
Rachel Paul, 1999
Alison Wadle, 1998
Chad Hartley, 1997
Kurt MacDonald, 1996
Nicole Tartaglia, 1995
Rogene Conder, 1994
Linda Furness, 1993
Jeanette Taylor, 1993
Lisa Russell, 1992
Stephen Empedocles, 1991
Karie Robinson, 1990
Kristen Maurer, 1990
Nancy Smider, 1989
Lauralyn Andrews, 1988
Judith Vanderryn, 1987
W. Bart Rothwell, 1986
Moira Powers, 1985
Susan Stadler-Morris, 1984
Tamra Pearson, 1984
Gary Conboy, 1984
Linda Yamamoto, 1983
Tracy Hume, 1982
Matthew Sharps, 1981
Terri Cross, 1980
Sara Rank, 1979
Georgia Borgens, 1978
Barbara Foltz, 1977
Susan Kegeles, 1976
Richard Schupner, 1976
Kent Rease, 1975
Cynthia Covell, 1974
Darci Glassman, 1973
Janet Fletcher, 1973
James Rogers, 1971
Daniel Mullaney, 1970
Ronald Hilliard, 1969
Peter Collins, 1968
Barbara Griek, 1967
Joan Abbott, 1967
Jane Hays, 1966
Richard Beck Jr., 1965
Karol Anderson, 1964
Morris Holland, 1963
James Carland, 1963
Herman Samson, 1962
Kent Houston, 1961
Keith Davis, 1959

Graduate Student Awards

Dosier/Muenzinger Awards

The Dosier/Muenzinger Scholarship Fund was set up by Charlotte Hayes Dosier, who received her Ph.D. from our department in 1952, in memory of Karl F. Muenzinger, who was a Professor of Psychology at CU Boulder for many years, beginning in 1923. Dr. Muenzinger helped construct the framework of our highly rated graduate program, and promoted empirical research as a focus of the department. As Chair of the department, beginning in 1947, he encouraged growth and pioneering in all areas of the field. His impact on the department was so influential that the Muenzinger Psychology building is named in his honor.

Dosier/Muenzinger Award for Outstanding Contribution to Basic Research winners

The Dosier/Muenzinger Award for Outstanding Contribution to Basic Research recognizes a student who excels in basic research in terms of a theoretical advance and/or methodological innovation.

Dillon McGovern, 2022
Hilary Trout, 2021
Richard Border, 2020
Alexander Hatoum, 2019
Erin McPherson, 2018
Jane Barker, 2017
Rachel Thayer, 2017
Daniel Gustavson, 2016
Nicholas Ketz, 2016

Dosier/Muenzinger Award for Outstanding Contribution to Translational Research winners

The Dosier/Muenzinger Award for Outstanding Contribution to Translational Research recognizes a student who excels at applying findings from basic science to applied contexts to improve human physical and mental health and functioning, broadly defined.

Laurel Gibson, 2022
Raeghan Mueller, 2021
Sarah Hagerty, 2020
Alta du Pont, 2019
Emily Carol, 2018
Dan Leopold, 2017
Laura Michaelson, 2017
Jonathan (Yoni) Ashar, 2016
Hollis Karoly, 2016

Dosier/Muenzinger Award for Outstanding Teaching winners

The Dosier/Muenzinger Award for Outstanding Teaching recognizes a student who exhibits dedication to teaching, evidence of high quality teaching and pedagogical innovation.

Joel Fishbein, 2022
Alex Flores, 2022
Miriam Clayton Erickson, 2021
Matt Hartsock, 2021
Helen Strnad, 2020
Elizabeth Lemon, 2019
Natasha Hansen, 2018
Marianne Reddan, 2018
Shana Stites, 2018
Katie Wolsiefer, 2017
Laura Michaelson, 2016

Sean Hudson Leadership Award

Sean Hudson was a PhD student in our department before his tragic death in 2015. His work addressed important questions about how people see human faces, and how stereotypes and prejudice impair one’s ability to perceive faces of those who belong to other racial groups. Dr. Hudson was an extraordinarily promising teacher and researcher. He was also a tireless advocate for his fellow graduate students, and devoted remarkable time and energy to service endeavors while he was a student at CU Boulder. This scholarship was set up in his honor to recognize other graduate students who have, like Sean, committed themselves to meaningful service endeavors on behalf of other students and the department.

Sean Hudson Leadership Award winners

Amelia Moser, 2022
Balbir Singh, 2021
Christopher Mellinger, 2020
Jesse Niebaum, 2019
Christina Metcalf, 2018
Arielle Gillman, 2017
John Lurquin, 2017
Jessica Keating, 2016

Peter G. Ossorio Award

Peter G. Ossorio was on the faculty at CU Boulder for over 30 years. Professor Emeritus Ossorio developed the discipline of Descriptive Psychology, which has been used by professionals around the world to solve problems in the fields of artificial intelligence, astronomy, business, computer science, psychology and spirituality. The Peter G. Ossorio Award recognizes a clinical graduate student in their 2nd or 3rd year of study, who demonstrates overall excellence, has made good progress in graduate school, and is working on research that has the potential to impact the areas of descriptive psychology, health behavior psychology or clinical psychology.

Peter G. Ossorio Award winners