Awards and Scholarships

The Microbiology High Achievement Award Fund was created out of gratitude felt by the extended Hinsdill family, five members of which received one or more degrees from the University of Wisconsin System, including Emeritus Professor Ronald D. Hinsdill.  Dr. Hinsdill is the former Chair of the Department of Bacteriology, former Director of Environmental Toxicology and Emeritus Professor of Preventive Medicine.

Criteria: High achievement in the student’s academic program(s).

Eligibility: UW-Madison Microbiology majors graduating in current Spring, Summer, or next Fall semesters.

Award: A cash award of $1000.  The recipient will also receive a certificate and their name will be inscribed on a plaque displayed in the Department of Bacteriology.

William (Windy) Wright received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural Bacteriology from UW-Madison and was a professor in the Department from 1909 until his death in 1929. Dr. Wright, a superb teacher, got the name “Windy” from his students who thought he could breathe and talk at the same time. This scholarship is made possible through the Ira N. Fender Fund to honor Mr. Fender’s favorite professor, “Windy” Wright.  

Eligibility: Microbiology majors who will be Juniors or Seniors at the time of the award and who have completed or are currently enrolled in Microbio 303 and 304 (as of Spring 2022 semester).  Current or previous research is not required but is recommended and will be taken into account (i.e., mentor project in Bio 152, Microbio 299 or 699, etc.). Candidates who have other research fellowships at the time of the award are not eligible. Students may not receive the same departmental scholarship twice.

Scholarship: $2,000 stipend for the next Fall, Spring, or Summer eight-week session. Recipients typically register for at least two credits of supervised research/thesis during the semester of the award.

William B. Sarles was a professor of Bacteriology from 1932 to 1972 and department chair from 1954-1968. The Sarles Fund was established by colleagues and former students to honor Dr. Sarles’ life work and dedication to students through teaching and mentoring. In recognition of his teaching achievements, Dr. Sarles received the Carski Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Society for Microbiology.

Eligibility: Microbiology majors who will be Juniors or Seniors at the time of the award and who have completed or are currently enrolled in Microbio 303 and 304 (as of Spring 2022 semester). Current or previous research is not required but is recommended and will be taken into account (i.e., mentor project in Bio 152, Microbio 299 or 699, etc.). Candidates who have other research fellowships at the time of the award are not eligible. Students may not receive the same departmental scholarship twice.

Scholarship: $2,000 stipend for the next Fall, Spring, or Summer eight-week session. Recipients typically register for at least two credits of supervised research/thesis during the semester of the award.

Philipp Gerhardt received a Ph.D. in Bacteriology from UW-Madison in 1949.  Dr. Gerhardt is an Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at Michigan State University and wrote Methods for General and Molecular Bacteriology. He served as President of both the American Society for Microbiology and the International Union of Microbiological Societies.

Eligibility: Microbiology majors who will be Juniors or Seniors at the time of the award and who have completed or are currently enrolled in Microbio 303 and 304 (as of Spring 2022 semester).  Applicants must have completed at least one semester of undergraduate research in a Department of Bacteriology lab (i.e., mentor project in Bio 152, Microbio 299 or 699, etc.). Candidates who have other research fellowships at the time of the award are not eligible. Students may not receive the same departmental scholarship twice.

Scholarship: $2,000 stipend for the next Fall, Spring, or Summer eight-week session. Recipients typically register for at least two credits of supervised research/thesis during the semester of the award.

Karl Leemkuil received his B.S. degree in Bacteriology in 1963 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked as a microbiologist until his death on November 10, 1980, from leukemia. He was known throughout his life for his honesty, integrity, dedication, and courage. The Leemkuil award was established in his memory by Gibco Laboratories, his long-term employer.

Criteria: The committee will consider the nominee’s level of independence in research, overall comprehension of research projects and goals, and experimental design and interpretation.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in Microbiology; preference given to students graduating in current Spring, Summer, or next Fall semesters.

Additionally: Nomination may be based on research currently in progress or on research completed in an earlier semester.

Award: A certificate of recognition and a cash award of $1000.

Purpose: To assist Microbiology undergraduates with attending an annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology or other scientific meeting.

Criteria: Students majoring in Microbiology who will not have graduated when the meeting is held. Students actively engaged in independent research and/or those who are presenting at the meeting are especially encouraged to apply.

Award: Travel, lodging, meals and/or registration fees, up to a maximum of $1000.

Recipients will be asked to participate in an undergraduate research panel at a Microbiology Club meeting in the next Fall or Spring.