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
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.
- 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
- 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 is given to a Neuroscience major who has completed and defended the best honors thesis in Neuroscience.
- 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 is given to a student who has contributed the most to the leadership and functioning of the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience.
- Gigi Hunn, 2022
- Taylor Rivet, 2021
- Lizzie Hoelscher, 2020
- Mancy Shah, 2019
- Isabella (Bella) Conte, 2018
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.
- 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
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.
- 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
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.
- Maya Palmer, 2022
- Taylor Solis-Collazos, 2022
Past awards that no longer exist and/or have been superceded by one of the above:
- 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
- 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
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.
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
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
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 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.
- 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 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.
- Ashley Master, 2022
- Bailey Steele 2021
- Julia Salinger, 2020
- Anna Gilmour, 2019
- Alex Kirk, 2018
- Lindsay LaBrecque, 2018
- Rachel Vanderkruik, 2017
- Emily Carol, 2016
- Briana Robustelli, 2015
Past awards that no longer exist and/or have been superceded by one of the above:
- Jake Westfall, 2015
- Dan Johnson, 2014
- Hannah Snyder, 2012
- Christopher Chatham, 2011
- Keith Lohse, 2011
- Mellisa Munn-Chernoff, 2011
- Jay Schulz-Heik, 2010
- Brendan Dupue, 2009
- Michelle Broaddus, 2008
- Laura Ray, 2007
- James Kole, 2006
- Heather Gelhorn, 2005
- Michael Frank, 2004
- Katherine Rawson, 2004
- Lauren Weinstock, 2004
- Kevin O’Connor, 2003
- Joshua Correll, 2003
- Barbara Fasolo, 2002
- Christopher Wolsko, 2001
- Naomi Friedman, 2000
- Michael Emerson, 2000
- Kien Nguyen, 1999
- Immanuel Barshi, 1998
- Robert Rehder, 1997
- Maricela Alarcon, 1997
- Lynn Waelde, 1996
- William Marmie, 1995
- Stacey Cherny, 1994
- Erik Weirtelak, 1993
- Lon Cardon, 1992
- Hilary Coon, 1991
- Robert Crutcher, 1990
- Robert Lee, 1989
- D. Kay Phillips, 1988
- Suzanne Mannes, 1988
- Marty Barrett, 1988
- Wani Woo, 2015
- Courtney Stevens, 2015
- Ashley Smith wWatts, 2014
- Shaw Ketels, 2013
- Lindsay Anderson, 2012
- Allegra Smith, 2010
- Bethany Kwan, 2009
- Michelle Broaddus, 2007
- Alinne Barrera, 2006
- Erica Wohldmann, 2005
- Courtney Rocheleau, 2004
- Patricia Sikora, 2002
- Alisha Brosse, 2001
- Noelle Lavoie, 2000
- Leah Pressman, 1999
- Darrell Laham, 1998
- Michael Wolfe, 1997
- Daniel Gigone, 1996
- Immanuel Barshi, 1995
- Jerold Phelps, 1994
- Peter Foltz, 1993
- Adrienne Lee, 1993
- Andrea Larson, 1992
- Danielle McNamara, 1992
- James Doyle, 1991
- Susan Ryan, 1990
- Avigail Moor, 1989
- Vicki Volbrecht, 1987
- George Engelbeck, 1986
- Ronnie Stewart, 1985
- Cynthia Lusk, 1984
- Glenda Russell, 1983
- Raymonde Guindon, 1982
- Stanley Jackson, 1981
- William Walker, 1980
- Steven Perry, 1979
- Mark McDaniel, 1978
- Lauren Chun, 2022
- Kelly Gildersleeve, 2021
- Mark Whisman, 2020
- Jennifer Stratford, 2019
- Linda Watkins, 2018
- David Allen, 2017
- Heidi Day, 2016
- Yuko Munakata, 2015
- Sona Dimidjian, 2014
- Tina Pittman Wagers, 2013
- Chick Judd, 2012
- Gary McClelland, 2012
- Lewis Harvey, Jr., 2011
- Natalie Smutzler, 2010
- Robert Spencer, 2009
- David Miklowitz, 2008
- Jerry Rudy, 2007
- Angela Bryan, 2006
- Brett King, 2005
- Joseph Berta, 2004
- Irene Blair, 2003
- Daniel Barth, 2003
- Alice Healy, 2002
- Greg Carey, 2001
- Diane Martichuski, 2000
- Chick Judd, 1999
- Donald Weatherly, 1998
- Victor Ryan,1997
- Gary McClelland, 1996
- Herbert Alpern, 1995
- Brett King, 1994
- Louise Silvern, 1993
- Joanna Arch, 2022
- Cinnamon Bidwell, 2021
- Naomi Friedman, 2020
- Matthew Keller, 2019
- Sona Dimijian, 2018
- Yuko Munakata, 2017
- Rand O’Reilly, 2016
- Kent Hutchison, 2015
- Vijay Mittal, 2014
- John DeFries, 2013
- Tor Wager, 2012
- Marie Banich, 2011
- John Hewitt, 2010
- Soo Rhee, 2009
- Tim Curran, 2008
- Erik Willcutt, 2007
- Jerry Rudy, 2006
- Angela Bryan, 2005
- Richard Olson, 2004
- Linda Watkins, 2003
- Charles Judd, 2002
- Lyle Bourne, 2001
- Walter Kintsch, 2000
- Thomas Landauer, 1999
- David Miklowitz, 1998
- Alice Healy, 1997
- Richard Olson, 1996
- Eva Fifkova, 1995
- David Fulker, 1994
- Steven Maier, 1993
- Eva Pietri, 2022
- Irene Blair, 2021
- Tina Pittman Wagers, 2020
- Heidi Day, 2019
- Tiffany Ito, 2018
- Irene Blair, 2017
- Ryan Bachtell, 2016
- Serge Campeau, 2015
- Tim Curran, 2014
- Sona Dimidjian, 2013
- Leaf Van Boven, 2013
- Natalie Smutzler, 2012
- Mark Whisman, 2011
- Marie Banich, 2010
- Gregory Carey, 2009
- Diane Martichuski, 2008
- Lewis Harvey, Jr., 2007
- Linda Craighead, 2006
- Alice Healy, 2005
- Bernadette Park, 2005
- Robert Spencer, 2004
- Charles Judd, 2003
- Theresa Hernandez, 2002
- Steve Maier, 2001
- Linda Watkins, 2001
- Donald Weatherley, 2000
- Gary McClelland, 1999
- Reid Hastie, 1998
- Jerry Rudy, 1997
- W. Edward Craighead, 1997
- James Wilson, 1996
- Kurt Schlesinger, 1995
- Lyle Bourne, Jr., 1994
- John Werner, 1993
