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MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Natural Science
Department of Mathematics

Scholarships

Undergraduate Scholarships

For students majoring in Actuarial Science

For Pre-service Secondary Mathematics Education students

For students majoring in degrees offered by the Mathematics Department, other than Actuarial Science

Graduate scholarships

How to Apply

With the exceptions noted below, all qualified students in the department will automatically be considered for the scholarships listed. To qualify for a financial needs scholarship (indicated above), undergraduate students must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available at studentaid.gov, by January. 
 
Undergraduate students wishing to be considered for the Dressel Endowed Scholarship, the Kindle Mathematics Teacher Scholarship, and the Phillips Memorial Scholarship will need to complete a brief application form. Students who wish to receive summer research experience support through the McCartney Endowment will need to also complete a brief application. Application information will be announced in January each year. 
 

Scholarship Details

Actuarial Science Scholarship Fund

The Actuarial Science Scholarship was established in 2006 by alumni and friends of the College of Natural Science.
 
It is intended for students with a specialization or major in the Actuarial Program. The purpose of this scholarship is given in the following statement:
 
This award is intended to encourage undergraduate students interested in an actuarial profession. Recipients shall be deemed worthy on the basis of actuarial coursework, passage of at least one of the National Society of Actuaries Exams, a letter of recommendation from an actuarial instructor and the acquisition of a summer actuarial internship.

J.K. Billman, Jr., M.D. Actuarial Science Scholarship

Dr. J.K. Billman, Jr., was a member of the Honors College and received his B.S. in Biochemistry from MSU in 1969. He graduated from medical school at The Ohio State University and subsequently trained in the specialties of anatomic and clinical pathology at the University of Michigan. Early in his career, he served as an assistant medical director for a life insurance company, which provided a brief exposure to the actuarial science profession. The recipient of this scholarship must be a junior pursuing a degree in actuarial science. 

Paul Buben Actuary Science Scholarship

Paul Buben established this scholarship in recognition of the rigorous academic curriculum, personal talent and dedication required to earn a degree in Actuary Science from Michigan State University. This scholarship intends to recognize the outstanding academic achievement required to succeed in Actuary Science and help students achieve academic excellence at Michigan State University.
 
Paul Buben was born in Flint, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics. He received his Masters in Actuary Science from the University of Michigan.

James P. Conlon Endowed Mathematics Scholarship

James P. Conlon ("Jim") graduated high school from Cedar Lake Academy and was drafted into the United States Army in 1952. While in the army he completed extension courses in Mathematics and upon his discharge completed his Associates Degree at Grand Rapids Junior College. Jim then transferred to MSU where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees, majoring in Mathematics. He went on to teach High School mathematics in Belding High School until his retirement in 1987. During his teaching career he continued his passion for mathematics spending his summers in 14 different colleges taking mathematics courses, eight of those at the National Science Foundation Institutes. Jim's goal for this scholarship is to assist a mathematics student with their educational pursuits.

Dr. Paul and Wilma Dressel Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Paul Dressel’s career at Michigan State College spanned many years, beginning in 1934. Dr. Dressel taught in the Mathematics Department and was often tapped for special projects by President John Hannah during his tenure at Michigan State. Dr. Dressel was responsible for the establishment of both the Counseling Department and the Board of Examiners.
 
Mrs. Wilma Dressel was a mathematics major at Michigan State and established this scholarship for students in mathematics, knowing how difficult funding is for many young people.
 
The Paul and Wilma Dressel Endowed Scholarship is intended for students in Mathematics who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve personal and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress. The purpose of the scholarship is given in the following statement:
 
Recipients shall be undergraduate or graduate students selected based on academic achievement, professional goals, student status and financial need. Recipients should be fluent in English.

William and Lydia Falk Scholarship

William Falk is a 1970 Honors College graduate with a BA in Mathematics. At the time, MSU did not have an actuarial science program, but he was able to create a special major that encompassed the courses he would need in order to have success in the actuarial exams. William's education and experiences at MSU led to a fulfilling and successful career as an actuary. He feels that he owes much of his success to his wife, Lydia, whom he married while at MSU. She is a 1972 graduate with a degree in mathematics education. Both Willim and Lydia were members of the Debate Team. 
 
Recipients of this award must be students with good standing in the Honors College, have a demonstrated financial need, and have passed at least one actuarial examination offered by the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society.

Dr. William L. Harkness Endowed Fellowship in Mathematics

William L. Harkness received three degrees from MSU: a Bachelor of Science (1955) and a Master of Science (1956) in Mathematics, as well as a doctoral degree (1959) in Statistics. Recipients of this Fellowship will be graduate students in good standing and enrolled in the Mathematics Department in the College of Natural Sciences at MSU. 

Dr. Marshall and Barbara Hestenes Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics

Dr. Hestenes was a professor in the Mathematics Department from 1968 until his retirement in 2002. From 1987 to 1992, he led the Student Information System (SIS) Project, which put all the student information from the Office of Admissions, the Registrar's Office, the Office of Financial Aid, and the Controller's in a single, integrated system. From 1992 to 2002 he was the Director of the Client Advocacy Office, which led other big computer projects. After retirement he served as a consultant, programming small database-based web system for MSU, including the Scholarship and Endowment System. Barbara Hestenes was an Administrative Assistant at MSU from 1984 to 2000. The goal in establishing this scholarship is to encourage students to pursue a career in Mathematics. Recipients shall be junior or senior undergraduate mathematics majors who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement by maintaining a high GPA. 

Herbert T. Graham Scholarship

The Herbert T. Graham Scholarship is intended for students with a major in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics and a demonstrated financial need. The purpose of this scholarship is given in the following statement:
 
The Herbert T. Graham Scholarship Fund was established to support high ability students majoring in Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics who are juniors or above with demonstrated financial need. Minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Kindle Mathematics Teacher Scholarship

Excellence in mathematics education requires igniting students’ pursuit in mathematics and opening pathways into the educational profession. The scholarship, funded through the Kindle Mathematics Endowment, seeks to help support students during their final year of teacher certification so that they can continue on the path of teaching mathematics, and positively influence the lives of many students.
 
Mathematics majors who are currently or will within the next academic year complete all of the requirements for secondary mathematics teaching certification are eligible for this award. Recipients are selected by mathematics and mathematics education faculty based upon the students’ academic achievement, professional plan or accomplishments during the internship.

McCartney Endowed Educational Enrichment in Mathematics 

The McCartney Endowment was established by William A. and Sally L. McCartney, MSU alumni, who had interests in both Theater and Mathematics. They established funds in both departments, wishing to encourage undergraduate students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities, such as summer research experiences, to further their progress. 

Richard E. Phillips Memorial Scholarship

Photo of Richard E. Phillips

Dr. Richard E. Phillips joined the MSU faculty in 1969 and served as the Mathematics Department Chairperson from 1991 to 1994. He received a University Distinguished Faculty Award in 1989. Dr. Phillips was an inspirational teacher, researcher and leader, always generous with his time and energy in helping students and colleagues.
 
The Richard E. Phillips Scholarship is intended for students with an interest in and enthusiasm for Mathematics. The purpose of this scholarship is given in the following statement:
 
This award is intended to encourage undergraduate students who have the demonstrated capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

L.C. Plant Scholarship

The L.C. Plant Scholarship is intended for students with a major in Mathematics and a commitment to the Mathematics Department. The purpose of the scholarship is given in the following statement:
 
Recipients shall be Mathematics majors. Recipients shall be deemed worthy on the basis of scholarship, interest in Mathematics, and helpfulness to the Department of Mathematics.

Ronald H. and Mary E. Simon Endowed Scholarship

Ronald H. Simon earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from MSU in 1967. He began a career at Auto-Owners Insurance after graduation, eventually retiring as CEO of the company. Ron and Mary recognize the value of education to MSU. In additional to endowing this scholarship, their donation also supports the Ronald H. and Mary E. Simon Actuarial Science Lecture.

Sottile Family Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics

Dr. Frank Sottile attended the Honors College at MSU, majoring in physics and minoring in mathematics, supporting his education on a mixture of scholarships and grants, tutoring, and work-study opportunities. His son, Samuel, also an Honors College student, graduated in 2023 with a degree in advanced mathematics. Undergraduate students in good academic standing pursuing a degree offered in the Department of Mathematics will be eligible for this award. 

Douglas A. Spragg Endowed Fellowship in Mathematics

The Douglas A. Spragg Endowed Fellowship in Mathematics in intended for graduate level students with a major in Mathematics. Douglas Spragg has been with ExxonMobil for 25+ years and has had several positions as both an individual contributor and supervisor in geophysical applications development, software engineering, and IT infrastructure. His work is highly technical and demands a solid background in applied mathematics. 

Other Endowments

Harold and Helen Tolles Scholarship

Harold Tolles was a native of St. Johns, Michigan, and a 1952 MSU graduate in Electrical Engineering. His minor was in Mathematics, and he believed that the knowledge he gained minoring in Mathematics benefited him his entire life. He and his wife, Helen, were interested in providing student aid to help advance programs within the Department of Mathematics. This generous donation help support extracurricular undergraduate programs such as the Integration Bee Competition.