The Department of Physics and the WIC program recognize the importance of writing and communication in the discipline. Each year, we choose an outstanding undergraduate essay from the WIC (Writing Intensive Curriculum) thesis course for special recognition. The recipient receives an award of $100 and additional recognition by the University. Honorable mentions reflect the diversity of writing in physics - experimental, theoretical, computational, qualitative and quantitative research, second language writing and more.
All participants in the WIC thesis course for the physics major are eligible.
The WIC Culture of Writing in Physics Award recognizes undergraduate excellence in scientific writing. Students in the thesis course write a thesis that describes and explains the scientific research conducted in the course of their project.
Finalists for the award are chosen by the WIC instructors and the winner is decided by a committee of physics instructors.
The WIC Culture of Writing in Physics Award is due at the WIC program offices on Friday of week 9 of the spring term. The thesis is submitted to the department on Friday of week 6. The WIC award recipient is announced at the departmental awards ceremony at the end of spring term.
Award winners
2023-24
Joseph Takach
Honorable mention: Sophia (Phia) Morton
2022-23
Sullivan Bailey-Darland
Honorable mention: Maxwell Siebersma, Rebecca Munk
2021-22
Cameron Clonch
Honorable mention: Jaden Downing
2020-21
Richard Puro
Honorable mention: Jin Kiatvongcharoen, Hunter Nelson, Trevor Reid, Justin Sheetz, Rosemary Williams
2019-20
Jacob van de Lindt
Honorable mention: McKenzie Meyer, Mai Sakuragi, Ryan Tollefsen, Dustin Treece
2018-19
Brennan Douglas
Honorable mention: Abigail Kimbrough, John Waczak
2017-18
Christopher May
2016-17
Jeremy Meinke
2015-16
Sam Kowash
Honorable mention: Katie Banowetz, Evan Peters
