Annually, three staff persons in the Department of Physics are awarded the John G. Whitcomb Distinguished Staff Award. This award was established to recognize exceptional accomplishments, leadership, and service to the Department of Physics and its missions of research, teaching, and service. Award winners received a cash bonus and a trophy which were presented by Chair, Ralf Bundschuh, at the annual Department of Physics Spring Picnic.

This year, our three winners, nominated by peers in the Department of Physics, were Christine Jackson, Carly Scopel, and David Zachl! Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work in our department!

Also awarded was the new Outstanding Lecturer Award. This award is open to all lecturers and senior lecturers with at least one year of service in the Department of Physics, and is given to recognize exemplary contributions to the Department of Physics by a lecturer. This award was presented by Vice Chair for Administration, Andrew Heckler, at the 2025 Spring Picnic on Tuesday April 22.

This year, our award winners were Andrew Dougherty and Parisa Roustazadeh. Congratulations, and thank you for your service in the physics department!