Scholar Awards & Award Recipients

The Douglas G. and Regina C. Evans Award for Research Achievement

The Award

Endowed in 2003 by Scholar Alumnus Douglas G. Evans '86 and his wife, Regina C. Evans, the Evans Award recognizes a graduating Scholar's outstanding research or creative achievement, typically culminating in the honors thesis. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.

Eligibility & Timeline

Awarded in May to a graduating Schreyer Scholar; graduates from the previous fall and summer are also eligible. Eligible students will be notified via email when nominations are open.

Selection Process & Criteria

Students self-nominate with faculty recommendations. Decisions are made by the Schreyer Honors College Faculty Advisory Committee in consultation with the Dean. The committee includes faculty from a wide range of departments, so nominations should be composed accordingly and should reference at least some of the following points:

• How does the project stand out from other strong Schreyer Scholar work in the field?
• Has the project been recognized via disciplinary awards, publication, or conference presentation?
• What is the potential impact of the project on the field of study and/or on society generally?
• Did the student develop new skills or techniques to carry out their work?
• How does the project relate to the student's overall accomplishments as a Schreyer Scholar?

The Robert W. "Bear" Koehler Award for Distinguished Service

The Award

Established in 2007 by Scholar alumnus Dr. Noah P. Barsky '92, Smeal College of Business Professor Charles H. Smith '61, and other students, colleagues, friends, and family of Dr. Robert “Bear” Koehler, this unique pair of awards recognizes Schreyer Scholars—one graduating and the other continuing—whose service and accomplishments follow Dr, Koehler's legacy. Recipients are presented with an engraved Nittany Lion statue.

Eligibility & Timeline

Awarded in May to a graduating Schreyer Scholar in the Smeal College of Business; graduates from the previous fall and summer are also eligible. Eligible students will be notified via email when nominations are open.

A second Koehler Award is given to a Schreyer Scholar completing their first or second year in Smeal.

Selection Process & Criteria

The graduating Scholar award is determined by student self-nomination with faculty recommendations. Decisions are made by the Schreyer Honors College Faculty Advisory Committee in consultation with the Dean.

There is no application process for the award given to first- or second-year Scholars in Smeal. Smeal College of Business faculty and academic advisers choose award recipients in consultation with the Dean of the Schreyer Honors College.

The Usharani C. and C. Channa Reddy Mission Award

The Award

Endowed in 2000 by Prof. Channa Reddy and his wife Usharani Reddy, the Reddy Mission Award recognizes two Schreyer Scholars who exemplify the mission of the College and have excelled in all three parts of the Schreyer Honors College mission: academic excellence with integrity, global perspective, and leadership/civic engagement. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.

Eligibility & Timeline

Awarded in May to a graduating Schreyer Scholar; graduates from the previous fall and summer are also eligible. Eligible students will be notified via email when nominations are open.

Selection Process & Criteria

Students self-nominate with faculty recommendations. Decisions are made by the Schreyer Honors College Faculty Advisory Committee in consultation with the Dean. The selection committee considers the applicant's fulfillment of all three aspects of the Schreyer Honors College mission:

• Academic excellence: GPA, degree of challenge and ambition in coursework and degrees, and awards/recognitions received will all be considered.
• Global perspective: May be demonstrated by study or other activities abroad, and/or by on-campus coursework or activities.
• Leadership/civic engagement: May be demonstrated by participation in on- or off-campus organizations, especially when that participation involves leading or coordinating the work of others in support of worthwhile goals

Student Involvement Award

The Award

Endowed in 2010 through contributions and pledges made by Schreyer Honors College staff in support of the For the Future campaign, the Student Involvement Award recognizes a Scholar for sustained service to the Schreyer community, through student organizations or other activities and initiatives. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.

Eligibility & Timeline

Awarded each year to a fourth-year Schreyer Scholar.

Selection Process & Criteria

There is no application process; the Schreyer Honors College staff chooses award recipients in consultation with the Dean.

Scholar Alumni Society Future Leader Scholarship

The Award

Members of the Scholar Alumni Society Board established this award to recognize Scholars at least in their third-year of study that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Honors College, Penn State overall, and/or their local community.

Eligibility & Timeline

Awarded each year during the fall semester to a third- or fourth-year Schreyer Scholar. Eligible students will be notified via our weekly newsletter when nominations are open.

Selection Process & Criteria

Scholars apply for this award and decisions are made by the Scholar Alumni Society Board.

Neil C. Patel Changemaker Honors Scholarship

The Award

Established in 2022 in memory of Schreyer Scholar Neil Patel, recipients embody Neil's motto of family, community, education and opportunity as they make an impact on the world. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.

Eligibility & Timeline

Awarded each fall. All Schreyer Scholars are eligible. Students will be notified via the weekly newsletter when applications are open.

Selection Process & Criteria

Scholars apply for this award and must include a letter of recommendation from a Penn State staff, faculty, or other affiliated member. Applications open prior to the start of the fall semester.