Undergraduate Awards and Scholarships

The University of Oklahoma Department of Mathematics offers a wide array of scholarships and awards for its undergraduate majors. (See the list of award and scholarship winners from recent years.) At least one of the scholarships provides for incoming freshmen who enroll with a declared major in mathematics. High school senior candidates should submit the High School Senior Scholarship Application Form (pdf). Other scholarship candidates please use the Departmental Scholarship Application Form (pdf). Each scholarship applicant will automatically be considered for any appropriate departmental scholarship. (The actual awarding of funds is contingent upon the recipient's enrollment as a declared mathematics major.) Application deadlines occur in the middle of the spring semester. More information and scholarship application forms may be obtained from:

     Dr. Patrick S. Cross 
     Department of Mathematics Scholarship Committee
     601 Elm Avenue, Room 423 
     Norman, Oklahoma, 73019-0315
     Tel: (405) 325-2727 
     Email: pcross...math.ou.edu

In addition to the scholarships, there are two categories of merit awards given annually to deserving freshman and senior math majors in recognition of their academic achievements at the University of Oklahoma. Both of these awards are given to the students deemed most deserving from those nominated by the faculty and teaching staff in the department.

Here are descriptions of the specific scholarships and awards that are available (also available for download as pdf).

George McNaught Ewing Mathematics Scholarship

This fund was established in 1991 in memory of Dr. George McNaught Ewing, George Lynn Cross Research Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. Dr. Ewing was a distinguished scholar and teacher in the field of applied analysis whose book on the Calculus of Variations became a standard reference in this field. Scholarships are awarded initially to incoming undergraduate students majoring in mathematics. The scholarship can be renewed annually if the student maintains a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and continues as a mathematics major.

Richard V. Andree Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established in 1987 in honor of the memory of Dr. Richard V. Andree, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. Dr. Andree was an expert in abstract algebra and a pioneer in the applications of computers in Mathematics, as well as a former chairman of the Mathematics Department. Scholarships are given to outstanding students who plan a career in mathematics or computer related mathematics and whose record reflects exceptional achievement and potential as mathematicians. The scholarships vary in amount and are in support of tuition, fees and books.

Arthur Frederick Bernhart Mathematics Scholarship

This fund was established in 1991 in honor of the memory of Dr. Arthur Frederick Bernhart, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. Dr. Bernhart was an expert in a number of areas of mathematics, including pursuit equations (for which he was cited in the Encyclopedia Britannica), the five-color theorem and computer applications in graph theory and combinatorics. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1934 (Ph.D. Dissertation Title: The Mechanics of the Top, Advisor: Otto Laporte, Subject Area: Quantum Theory). Bernhart Scholars must be outstanding undergraduate mathematics majors, of at least sophomore standing, who share Professor Bernhart's interests by emphasizing their studies of geometry.

C. Eugene Springer Scholarship

This fund was established in 1989 in honor of Dr. C. Eugene Springer, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics. Dr. Springer was a Rhodes scholar who taught at the University for 41 years prior to his retirement in 1974. An internationally known expert in Differential Geometry, Dr. Springer also served the Department as chairman. Springer Scholars must exhibit outstanding potential in mathematics and plan a career in the mathematical sciences.

Ann B. Sheldon Scholarship

This scholarship was established at Miss Sheldon's bequest after her untimely death in the late 1960's by the OU Alumni Club of Philadelphia. Ann Sheldon graduated from the University of Oklahoma in the mid-50's with degrees in math and physics, including a masters degree in mathematics. She worked at the DuPont Company until her death.

Samuel Watson Reaves Award

The Reaves Award is annually given to an outstanding senior math major. The scholarship award honors the late Dr. Samuel Watson Reaves, who came to the University of Oklahoma in 1905 as head of the Mathematics Department and served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1923 to 1940. The amount of the award varies from year to year between $1000 and $2000.

Nathan A. Court Award

The Court Award is given to an outstanding freshman or sophomore math major. The award is named for the internationally known geometer, Nathan Altschiller Court, who taught in this department from 1916 until 1951. There are usually two awards of $500 given each year.