Southern Miss First in State to Receive Prestigious Beckman Scholars Program Grant
Tue, 01/28/2025 - 01:46pm | By: Dr. David Tisdale
An undergraduate scholar program grant considered the most prestigious of its kind for STEM academic disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) has been awarded to The University of Southern Mississippi.
The Beckman Scholars Program allows institutions to provide a 15-month mentored research experience for exceptional undergraduate students in chemistry and biochemistry, biological sciences, polymer science, or interdisciplinary combinations thereof. Southern Miss was invited by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation to submit a proposal for the Beckman Scholars Program–arguably the most distinguished and selective privately-funded program supporting outstanding undergraduate researchers in certain STEM areas.
The Beckman Foundation selects 14 institutional grant recipients annually through a rigorous two-step review process. Over the next three years, the Southern Miss Beckman Scholars Program will be administered through the Southern Miss Honors College; two outstanding students per year will be selected and named Beckman Scholars based on their career goals and motivation to engage in long-term research.
Southern Miss is the first university in Mississippi to receive a Beckman Scholars Program grant. Dr. Sabine Heinhorst, T.W. Bennett Professor Emerita and former dean of the Southern Miss Honors College, crafted the successful grant proposal with the support of multiple participating university faculty mentors and Southern Miss Honors College Dean, Dr. Joyce Inman. Dr. Laurie Sutphin, assistant to the dean, will assist with administrative duties related to the grant.
A call for student applicants will be made early in the spring semester, with applications due in mid-February. The first two Southern Miss Beckman scholars will be announced in March 2025.
“It is an honor for Southern Miss to have been selected by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation as the recipient of this prestigious grant,” said Dr. Heinhorst. “We’re delighted that the Foundation recognized the long history of excellence in undergraduate research support at our university and the contributions our students are poised to make.”
Each Beckman Scholar will be guided in their research by one of 11 participating faculty mentors. While the Beckman Scholars pursue their research projects over two summers and one academic year, they will receive generous financial support from the Beckman Scholars Program grant.
Selected scholars will also benefit from networking opportunities with peers and leaders in their fields, as well as participation in professional development activities that prepare them for graduate programs and set them on a path to successful scientific research careers.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to administer the Beckman Scholars Program through the Southern Miss Honors College, as we prioritize support for undergraduate research,” said Dr. Inman. “We’re looking forward to working with undergraduate students and their research mentors to help provide students with this prestigious and comprehensive research experience during their time at Southern Miss.”
To learn more about the Beckman Scholar Program and the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, visit Beckman Foundation | Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation - Supporting Young Scientists Today for Tomorrow's Breakthrough Discoveries and Beckman Foundation Announces 2025 Beckman Scholars Program Awardees. For information about the Southern Miss Honors College, visit Honors College | The University of Southern Mississippi.