Student awards are selected in early Spring semester and are typically recognized at the Department's Annual Spring Banquet.  Most awards are based on academic merit or exceptional service.

Award for Outstanding Achievement in Broadcast Meteorology

Jared Plushnick is a 2009 graduate of our department and current on-air meteorologist at KVUE-TV in Austin, Texas.  Jared has established this award to be given to a student who displays a true passion for broadcast meteorology as well as a full range of knowledge of current and future multimedia broadcasting.  

The amount of the award Amount is $500 and is open to undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Meteorology.

To apply, submit a DVD or link of your on-air work (maximum of five minutes) and supply a written essay (one-page maximum) about your achievements (internships, Campus Weather Service, original ideas, etc). Within the essay please explain why you want to work in the field of broadcasting and how you plan to utilize your Penn State Meteorology education. Applications will be accepted starting January 1 through March 1.  All materials should be sent to Dr. Jon Nese (j2n@psu.edu).

Jerome N. Behrmann Scholarship in Meteorology

This award is presented annually to one of the top graduating seniors in the Department of Meteorology, based on scholarship, character, and personality. Special consideration is given to students intending to attend graduate school, preferably at Penn State, and to students with financial need. Funds for the award were donated in memory of Jerome N. Behrmann by his family. He was a Penn State meteorology student, class of 1948, who tragically died shortly after graduation. The recipient must write a brief autobiography, including a statement of his or her future plans, and submit it to the Head for Undergraduate Programs in Meteorology.

John C. Wyngaard Graduate Research Award

This award was established in the name of John C. Wyngaard, Professor Emeritus, in honor of his manifold contributions to the atmospheric sciences and particularly his mentorship of students in atmospheric turbulence and boundary layer meteorology.  John was involved in three national laboratories and served for two decades as a senior member of the faculty in Penn State's Department of Meteorology, where he opened new lines of inquiry, successfully addressed challenging problems in the field, and wisely counseled colleagues and students.

Physical Meteorology Award

This award was established in 2003 to recognize the greatest accomplishment by an undergraduate meteorology student in physical meteorology classes.

John A. Dutton Award

This award is presented to recognize the greatest accomplishment by an undergraduate meteorology student in dynamics classes.

Hans Neuberger Award

This award is given to the top Teaching Assistant(s) for excellent teaching of meteorology at the elementary level. The fund was established in 1972 by the Penn State Meteorology faculty in honor of Professor Hans Neuberger, who guided the growth of the department over a period of 33 years from its embryonic beginnings to a position of world eminence. Professor Neuberger established excellence in teaching as a key element of that growth, and demonstrated that skill by his own example.

Weather Information Technology Award

This award was established in 2000 by Dr. Joseph Russo of ZedX, Inc. to recognize students who have contributed to the use of advanced technology in improved utilization of weather observations or numerical guidance for specialized forecast applications.

The Levenia Adom Memorial Graduate Award

This award will be given to provide assistance to a graduate student who has demonstrated excellence and a passion for weather and climate forecasting and communications. The award was established in memory of graduate student, Levenia Adom, who passed away from colon cancer just a few months from finishing her M.S. degree in January 2007. Through the efforts of many in the Department of Meteorology, her degree was awarded posthumously in May 2007, and the award was activated in January 2009 through the philanthropy of Levenia's family, friends, and colleagues.

Special Award for Teaching Support

Graduate students and advanced undergraduates have long played an important role in the education of other students in the Department of Meteorology. Every once in a while, a student, or group of students, provides exceptional service to the department's academic program. The Special Award for Teaching Support was created by the Department to recognize this outstanding teaching support. The award is given infrequently, since the service must be truly exceptional.