Student Awards

The ESO encourages students outreach in all forms, whether it's spreading the word about their own research or science as a whole.​ To this end the ESO bestows two awards annually: The Charlie Mitter Travel Award, and the Award for Excellence in Extension and Outreach. Applications for REA award is August 15th and applications for Charlie Mitter Travel Award is January 15th.
"Get Bugged” Raupp Extension Award (REA)
Dr. Mike Raupp Professor Emeritus generously established the Get Bugged Extension Award after his retirement to ensure the future generation of extension specialists. The Raupp Award promotes and recognizes significant contributions in Extension and Outreach service by graduate students at the Department of Entomology. The award is up to $1000 and may be divided between applicants. Applications will be due August 15th of each year and  winner(s) will be presented at the first departmental colloquium of the Fall semester.

Eligibility for Award:
Any individual who is currently a qualifying member of the ESO (as per the ESO Constitution) is eligible for the Raupp Extension Award (REA).

Applications:
1. Application REA form
2. Curriculum vitae. Attach your most recent CV.
3. Cover letter. Why do you deserve this award? What was the significance of your extension? Limit descriptions of activities to those performed. during time at the university as a member of ESO.
4. Letter of support. Attach a letter of support from group(s) that benefitted of your work​.

To submit applications, click here

Past Award Winners of Previous Award for Excellence in Extension and Outreach 

  • 2019 - Veronica Yurchak
  • 2018 -  Peter Coffey, for his extensive outreach work with the Maryland agriculture community.
  • 2017 - Natalie Steinhauer for her work with the Bee Informed partnership, and extensive beekeeper outreach working to improve honeybee and minimize winter losses in our region. 
  • 2016 - Christopher Taylor for his work with BMSB extension, urban mosquito control and outreach, and his work with the 2015 UMD Bug Camp.
  • 2015 - Natalie Steinhauer for her work with the Bee Informed partnership, and extensive outreach working to improve honeybee and minimize winter losses in our region. 
  • 2014 - Armando Rosario-Lebron for his agricultural extension work, and outreach to elementary schools in Maryland.
  • 2013 - ​Not awarded.
  • 2012 - Dilip Venugopal for his work in India with tiger conservation and outreach. 
  • 2011 - Kevin Ulrich has been getting the word out on bed bugs and what people can do to avoid them.  
  • 2007 - Ada Szczepaniec has done insect presentations for local elementary schools, and has also organized extension training sessions and workshops with the help of Dr. Raupp.
    Bob Smith established the Aquatic Entomology Network for the ESA, which is a forum for entomologists and government groups. He has also participated with the Discover the Swamp exhibit at Maryland Day.

Charlie Mitter Travel Award

Travel grants are designed to benefit ESO members by supporting their pursuit of academic and professional goals. The Charlie Mitter Travel Award is intended to offset expenses related to presenting research at local, national, or international scientific/societal meetings. The travel awards are valued at $250, and a maximum of 3 grants will be awarded. Eligible travel periods include those occurring from March 30th of this year (2021) through March 30th of next year (2022) (i.e. the grant covers a period of 6 months before and after the due date). Applications for this grant will be judged on need and merit.

​Priority is given to students that:

  • Have sought the University of Maryland Graduate School's Jacob Goldhaber Travel Grant
  • Are covering all travel expenses for their first meeting of the eligible period
  • Have not received this award previously

Applications

Applications packets are to be submitted here by September 30th. Each packet must contain:
  • Application Form CMTA-1.
  • Curriculum vitae. Two (2) pages maximum, recent contributions only
  • Abstract of paper/presentation. Must include results/conclusions, limited to 300 words.
Application packet must also contain 1 copy of:
  • Advisor(s) letter confirming funding status (ie: unable to fund, matching support).
  • Documentation of Jacob Goldhaber Travel Award. Acceptance / rejection letters, if applicable.
If the award is for travel out of state the student must have filed an out of state travel form with the business office prior to the date of travel to receive reimbursement.

Past Award Winners