CNHS Excellence in Physics and Astronomy

An award to acknowledge our highest achieving students who have demonstrated an all-round outstanding record of academic performance, extracurricular activities, and service to the university or local community.

• 2024 - Angela Clairbourn
• 2023 - Paige Matheson, Edward Ward, Xavier Tablitz, Michelle Bolanos and Koji Miyakawa

Academic Excellence in Physics

For consistent and excellent performance in physics courses and/or research. Demonstrating strong grades, interest in Physics, creativity in and out of the classroom.

• 2019 - Kenji Emerson & Nevan Lowe
• 2018 - Seneca Cox

Academic Excellence in Astronomy

For consistent and excellent performance in astronomy courses and/or research. Student demonstrates strong grades, interest in Astronomy, creativity in and out of the classroom.

• 2019 - Kenji Emerson
• 2018 - Chantelle Kiessner

Distinguished Student Award

For outstanding academic, research, and service activities within the field of astronomy and physics here at UH Hilo. - 2024 - Trinit Parascandola - 2019 - Sabrina Shores & Andrea Waiters - 2018 - Kenji Emerson, Department librarian - 2018 - Mitchell Rudisel, Telescope Guru - 2018 - Bjorn Buer, Overall student support - 2018 - Jameeka Marshall, Distinguished Service in outreach - 2018 - Andrea Waiters, Distinguished Service in outreach

Chair's Commendation

• 2019 - Hannah Blue "Rock Star", great student
• 2019 - Jennifer Bragg "Above and Beyond", Super LA (Learning Assistant)
• 2019 - Sam Rowan "Above and Beyond", Super LA.
• 2019 - Elise Erickson "Rising Star" Excellent P170/A150 student
• 2019 - Allison Dries-Padilla, "Rising Star", solid lower division major.
• 2019 - Kendra Brekhus, "Extra Mile & Volunteer" physics lab assistant

Daniel K. Inouye Scholarship in Astronomy

A fund to assist students majoring in Astronomy that are keen on pursuing astronomical research at UH Hilo.

• 2024 - Atlas Syncatto
• 2023 - Xavier Tablitz
• 2019 - Chansen Haili

The Walter and Betty Steiger Physics & Astronomy Scholarship

A scholarship to assist local Hawai’i students who are pursuing a Physics or Astronomy degree here at UH Hilo.

• 2024 - Yannie Cheng
• 2023 - Kylea Medeiros
• 2019 - Nevan Lowe

Richard A. Crowe Memorial Scholarship

Donated by Dr. Crowe’s daughter and family in honor of our late P&A faculty member and resident astronomer for ‘Imiloa. A scholarship to provide assistance to astronomy majors at UH Hilo.

• 2024 - James Zisk
• 2023 - Koji Miyakawa
• 2019 - Keilani Steele

Paul H. I. Coleman Scholarship

In honor of the first Native Hawaiian to receive a PhD in astrophysics, and a former an IfA at UH Manoa faculty member. Donated by Roberta and Newton Chu, this scholarship is to support local Hawai’i students who are actively pursuing an undergraduate degree in astronomy at UH.

• 2024 - Aaron Fernandez
• 2023 - Tyler Ogawa

Award Presentation Photos

2024 CNHS Physics and Astronomy Awards

2018 P&A Student Awards

We in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at UH Hilo affirm our professional organizations’ statements on diversity: APS, AIP (of which AAS is a member), and SPS. We strive to be a supportive, affirming, and inclusive ʻohana so that we all may grow and thrive.