Scholarships
OSU Scholarships and Financial Aid
The Oklahoma State University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid administers scholarship and financial aid programs for students in all colleges throughout the University. Their office is located in the Student Union Atrium in Room 119, and detailed information about scholarships and other financial aid can be obtained at the website: https://financialaid.okstate.edu/
Incoming Students
Incoming freshman students apply for BIMB scholarships by completing the OSU Scholarship
application in the OSU Admission Application packet.
Deadline: February 1 annually
Continuing Students
Continuing students apply for BIMB scholarships by completing the Ferguson College of Agriculture scholarship application.
DEADLINE: January 15 annually
Transfer Students
Transfer students apply for BIMB scholarships by completing the OSU Scholarship application
in the OSU Admission Application packet.
DEADLINE: February 1 annually
Departmental Scholarships and Awards
Dr. Arlan Richardson Research Scholars Endowment
Dr. Arlan Richardson earned his Ph.D. in chemistry/biochemistry from Oklahoma State University, and for the past 40 years has devoted his career to aging research. He has mentored and directed the research for more than 50 Ph.D. graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty and is the author of more that 240 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr. Richardson's research has focused on various aspects of aging. This fund allows graduate and undergraduate students an opportunity to submit proposals that can be considered for research consumables and equipment or to pay their travel expenses to present their research findings at scientific meetings.
Dr. Franklin R. Leach Research Scholars Endowment Fund
Dr. Franklin R. Leach worked for OSU for 39 years. During his time here, he had a wonderful and positive impact on his students and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program. Franklin, who had a poster proclaiming "the undisturbed oyster producers no pearl" in his laboratory at OSU, relished challenging his students and children alike to discover their own solutions in pursuit of helping others. This scholarship is established to support and encourage research in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and is intended to provide financial resources to assist students, through scholarships, travel, purchase of equipment and/or materials for research programs in support of their educational pursuits at the University.
Dr. Gregory & Ruth Schultz Endowed Graduate Student Fellowship
Dr. Gregory Schultz received his bachelor's and doctorate degrees from Oklahoma State University in biochemistry in 1971 and 1976, respectively, and was a member of the first Honors College class at the university. His wife Ruth, received her bachelor’s from OSU in Human Sciences in 1975. Dr. Schultz credits the department for his education and professional experiences which set him up for success throughout his career. As a biochemist, Dr. Schultz focuses on wound care research at the University of Florida. The fellowship was established in 2017 and is to be awarded to a full-time graduate student to assist with scholarship, travel and research project expenses.
Dr. Jon A. Newell Endowed Scholarship
The Dr. Jon A. Newell Endowed Scholarship was established in 2023 for support of student scholarships, paying fees related to university sponsored travel, participation in research meetings, and expenses associated with student research needs. Dr. Newell completed his Ph.D in our department under the guidance of Professor Michael Mason, where he worked on a thesis entitled, "Precursors of Typical and Atypical Roasted Peanuts Flavor".
George R. & Hilda L. Waller Endowed Scholarship in Biochemistry
The George R. and Hilda L. Waller Endowed Scholarship was established in 2015. In 1956 Dr. Waller joined the newly established Department of Biochemistry at Oklahoma State University as an assistant professor. He rapidly rose through the academic ranks, working on peanuts and representing OSU in food science & research; completing his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1961 on Ricinine Biosynthesis, achieving the rank of full professor in 1967. He taught upper-division and graduate courses for 32 years; published extensively; and was conferred the status of Professor Emeritus in 1987. By 1999, he had authored, co-authored and contributed to over 400 papers, books, journals, and bulletins, often collaborating with international colleagues. In 1965, Dr. Waller brought the first mass spectrometer to the United States and OSU, which now resides at the Smithsonian Institution. He is well-known in the field for his work in the biochemical applications of mass spectrometry and as a pioneer in the field of allelopathy. George and Hilda were married for 64 years and the marriage produced 3 daughters who established this scholarship in honor of their parents. The scholarship supports a Ph.D. graduate student as a post-doctoral candidate in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Preference is given to students interested in plant biochemistry.
Grace Knox Award
The Grace Knox Award was established at the request of Grace A. Knox who received her BS from OSU in 1944 and went on to serve in the Women’s Army Corps. After WWII, Ms. Knox pursued graduate work at the University of Iowa, where she continued to work in biochemistry and molecular biology research for the University of Iowa Hospital. Ms. Knox presented OSU with an endowment gift to establish this award for support of undergraduate scholars in biochemistry and to commemorate her years at OSU, which she claimed were “the happiest time of her life”. This award is presented to a junior or senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The award is based on student performance during the first two years.
In Recognition of Women in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Endowed Scholarship
The recipient must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at the University. The recipient must be a female student, enrolled in the Ferguson College of Agriculture, pursuing a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The funds may be used to support students including but not limited to scholarships, research, travel and small equipment expenses. The size of the awards may be determined in the discretion of the Selection Committee.
James E. Webster Award
The James E. Webster Award was established to honor Biochemist Dr. James E. Webster for his 51 years of service to OSU from 1928-1978. During Webster’s tenure he taught organic chemistry to thousands of students including such notables as Henry Bellmon (18th governor of OK, and 2 term US Senator), Wes Watkins (retired US Representative for OK and the person for whom OSU’s Wes Watkins Center is dedicated), and Allie P. Reynolds (renowned businessman, civic leader and sports personality for whom the OSU Baseball stadium is dedicated). The Webster Award recognizes outstanding academic performance during the freshman year with a 4.0 GPA.
Linda C. Schultz Scholarship
The Linda C. Schultz Endowed Scholarship was established in 2014. Eloise Schultz made this scholarship possible in honor of her daughter, Linda C. Schultz. Linda was a 1984 graduate with her BS degree in Biochemistry. Linda’s first job was doing research for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and later for a start-up company. She worked briefly for a Doctor at OU doing research before entering Pharmacy school at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. She worked as a pharmacist in Oklahoma and Texas until her health prevented her continued employment. This scholarship is awarded to a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology undergraduate with a 3.0 GPA or higher, is an Oklahoma resident and is in financial need.
Paul F. Kruse, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The Paul F. Kruse, Jr. Memorial Scholarship was established in recognition of Dr. Paul F. Kruse, Jr., the Biomedical Division Director and Vice President of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation in Ardmore, OK. Dr. Kruse was part of the Noble Foundation from 1952-1973. The focus of his research was cell culture. The Kruse Award is given to an undergraduate major in Biochemistry in recognition of academic performance and potential. The amount of this departmental scholarship varies ($250-$500) and is awarded to an outstanding junior or senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Roger E. & Norma L. Koeppe Endowed Scholarship
The Roger E. and Norma L. Koeppe Scholarship was established by Professor and Mrs.
Koeppe to support an upper division outstanding Biochemistry major who intends to
pursue graduate level study and a career in Biochemistry. Dr. Koeppe joined the Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at OSU as an Associate Professor in 1959. In
1963 he was appointed the fourth head of the Department and he served in this position
until his retirement in 1990. Dr. Koeppe’s research on glutamate metabolism was supported
by the National Institutes of Health from 1959-1974.
Ulrich & Karen Melcher Endowed Graduate Research Fund
Information coming soon.
V. G. Heller Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The V.G. Heller Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was established in 1962 in recognition of Victor Heller, Head of OSU’s then Agricultural Chemistry Department from 1925-1949. Dr. Heller remained in active emeritus status from his retirement in 1956 until his passing in 1971. The Heller Award gives recognition to a graduating biochemistry senior with excellent grades and significant research experience. This award varies in amount and is awarded to the outstanding junior or senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.