Chemistry

Chemistry Department Scholarships

There are several departmental scholarships available to chemistry majors who attend West Chester University. These scholarships are in addition to other scholarships that are offered university wide. For a full list of scholarships and awards see Scholarships and Awards in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Some of these departmental scholarships are for students that have already made some progress towards their degree (Reynolds and Challen), and others are specifically for incoming freshmen (Bravo and Magnuson). Most chemistry scholarships require students to be at least sophomores. Complete the application at the link below to apply for scholarships housed within the Chemistry Department for the 2022-23 academic year. The answers you provide along with the information on file with West Chester University will be matched with available scholarship funds.

Link for application: https://bit.ly/3TlQHKB

The deadline for submissions is September 26, 2022 at 11:59pm.

Students normally apply for the Reynolds Scholarship and the Challen Scholarships in the fall semester.

Application Instructions

Complete this one application to apply for scholarships housed within the Chemistry Department for the 2022-23 academic year. The answers you provide along with the information on file with West Chester University will be matched with available scholarship funds. The deadline for submissions is September 26, 2022 at 11:59pm.

Please note: Most scholarships require submission of the 2022-23 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). If your FAFSA has not yet been completed, you can still submit the scholarship application and then submit the FAFSA at a later date. However, if your 2022-23 FAFSA is not on file at the time your application is reviewed, you cannot be considered for any need-based scholarships. The FAFSA is available here.

Important Information About the Application Process:

• Many scholarships have specific requirements and preferences. Please respond to all questions that apply to you, as this will increase the number of scholarships for which you may be considered.
• For your convenience, some fields have been pre-filled with information from your student record on file with the University. If there is not an answer on file, the field will display "No Answer Provided." Student data is downloaded to the application daily and pre-filled information will be updated accordingly.
• You do not have to complete this application in one visit. Your information will be saved automatically.
• Once you have submitted your application, you will not be able to access it to make changes.
• Security features for this site include a time-out process. You have 30 minutes to complete each page of the application. Each time you navigate to another page of the application your information is saved and the clock is reset.

Questions about the application process and/or application status can be sent to: finaidsch@wcupa.edu

The John R. and Laurie S. Townsend Chemistry Scholarship (since 2018)

The John R. and Laurie S. Townsend Chemistry Scholarship is to be awarded to a junior or senior major in BS Chemistry, BS Biochemistry, BS Chemistry-Biology, or BS Forensic & Toxicological Chemistry with a GPA of 3.25 or above.  The applicants must include an essay of no more than 200 words to address the financial need. The Department of Chemistry Scholarship Committee will select the recipient based on academic performance, extracurricular activities and financial need.

The Joel M. Ressner Scholarship in Chemistry (since 2017)

Dr. Joel M. Ressner was a chemistry professor at West Chester University since 1984 until he retired in 2016.  During his tenure, he taught organic chemistry lectures and organic chemistry labs. The scholarship is to be awarded to a student who is in his or her junior or senior year at the time of application. The student must be majoring in one of the degree programs (other than Chemistry-Biology and PPD majors) offered by the Department of Chemistry.  The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 with a record of service to the Chemistry Department (Alchemist Club, tutoring, etc.), and demonstrate financial need.

Learn more about the Joel M. Ressner Scholarship in Chemistry

The Joel M. Ressner Scholarship for Minority Students in Chemistry (since 2017)

Dr. Joel M. Ressner was a chemistry professor at West Chester University since 1984 until he retired in 2016.  During his tenure, he taught organic chemistry lectures and organic chemistry labs. The scholarship is to be awarded to a student who belongs to a minority group and majors in one of the degree programs (other than Chemistry-Biology and PPD majors) offered by the Department of Chemistry.  The student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 with a record of service to the chemistry department (Alchemist Club, tutoring, etc.), and demonstrate financial need.

Learn more about the Joel M. Ressner Scholarship for Minority Students in Chemistry

WCU Chemistry Leadership Award (since 2016)

The WCU Chemistry Leadership Award is to be awarded to a chemistry major with a minimum 3.33 GPA in chemistry courses and 3.50 GPA overall. The student must demonstrate motivation and leadership qualities through his or her involvement in the Department of Chemistry. The scholarship can be awarded on a renewable basis to a student who continues to meet the academic standard. The recipient will be asked to write a thank-you note to the donor.

The Justo Bravo Scholarship (since 1981)

Dr. Justo Bravo was a professor in the Chemistry Department at West Chester University from 1968 until he retired in 1982. During his tenure, he served as the first Chairman of WCU's Department of Chemistry, and was given emeritus status upon retirement. He died at the age of 85 on March 31, 2003.

The Justo Bravo Scholarship is to be awarded to an incoming freshman; the student must be registered in one of the five Chemistry Department degree programs. The award will be based on high school performance and admissions tests (SAT, ACT). The Department of Chemistry Scholarship Committee, comprised of three current faculty members, will select an applicant who, in their judgment, has the best potential to develop into a strong Chemistry major.

Herbert A. Challen '42 Memorial Scholarship for Chemistry Education (since 1999)

Herbert James Challen attended West Chester University from 1938-1941, where he was on the soccer team for three years, was a member of the Varsity Club, served as Treasurer of his junior class, was on the Men's Dormitory Council two years, and active in Little Theatre for three years. He received his B.S. in Education from West Chester in 1946. The scholarship is to be awarded to a student who is in his or her junior or senior year at the time of application. The student must be majoring in secondary education chemistry. This scholarship is to be granted on the basis of financial need.

Learn more about the Herbert A. Challen '42 Scholarship in Chemistry

Virgil Magnuson Chemistry Scholarship

Virgil (Gene) Magnuson taught inorganic chemistry at WCU. He was one of the faculty members who participated in the chemistry education program. He performed site visits among other duties within this program. He was an active APSCUF member (faculty union), and served on the Meet and Discuss Team. He also served as a WCU representative to the State Legislative Assembly. The Virgil Magnuson Chemistry Scholarship is to be given to an incoming freshman majoring in Chemistry Education.

The Francis J. Reynolds Chemistry Scholarship (since 1995)

Francis J. Reynolds, better known as Frank, was a native of Pottsville, PA and taught organic chemistry at WCU. He had an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering, but chose to complete his doctorate in organic chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. He began teaching chemistry at West Chester State College while he completed his thesis. He enjoyed teaching so much that he then applied for a permanent position. Meanwhile he began singing tenor roles in Gilbert and Sullivan productions as well as more current dinner theatre musicals. One year when the Candlelight Theater in Arden, Delaware was performing "1776", he came to school dressed as Benjamin Franklin and gave his lectures "in character". His other favorite pastime was a portrayal of Benjamin Franklin in events around the Delaware Valley.

Frank was known for his adherence to excellent performance standards both in the classroom and on stage, and was well liked by students for his sense of humor and his singing of Tom Lehrer's "Chemical Elements."

This scholarship is designated for students going into their sophomore, junior or senior year, who are registered in one of the five Department of Chemistry degree programs. The applicant must have completed at least 30 credits at WCU to be eligible. Applicants are judged by the Department of Chemistry Scholarship committee on their college performance, extracurricular activities and a personal essay.

Other university scholarships of interest include: