Awards and Prizes

Students are recognized for superior achievement in oral and poster presentations by juried committees for a variety of awards. If you'd like to read about the student-selected Super Heroes Awards--AquaMan/AquaWoman, Captain Planet, Storm (for Outstanding Faculty Instructors) and Atlas (for an Outstanding Staff Member), go here.

Montgomery Prize

Best Oral Presentation, Hydrology and Water Resources:  Certificate and Award of $2,000

The Montgomery Prize is sponsored by Errol L. Montgomery & Associates, Inc., and symbolizes the company's commitment to encouraging and rewarded excellence in oral presentation of hydrologic research.  HWR Alum, Dr. Errol L. Montgomery, sponsors similar awards during annual student research events at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University Geology Departments.

Hargis Awards

First Place Poster:  Certificate and Award of $1,000

Second Place Poster:  Certificate and Award of $400

The Hargis Awards are sponsored by Hargis+Associates, Inc. and are made to recognize the need for excellence in technical communications. They serve as an incentive for participating students to demonstrate excellence in writing, visual presentation, and oral communication skills in support of their research projects. Evaluation and selection of the awards is made by a panel selected by HWR Alum, Dr. David Hargis.

The most recent committee for these awards included Dr. Chris Perkovac, Senior Hydrogeologist , Hargis+Associates, Inc. (Tucson office), and Dennis Scheall, UA Affiliate and former HWR Director for Instruction and Research Support.

Benjamin Herman Award

Best Oral Presentation, Atmospheric Sciences:  Certificate and Award of $1,000

The Benjamin Herman Award is sponsored by the Benjamin M. Herman Endowment. The inaugural award was made in 2020. More details coming soon.

Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Award of Excellence

Best Oral Presentation:  Certificate and Award of $400

The Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Award of Excellence in Oral Presentation is made to the most outstanding oral presenter (excluding the Montgomery Prize winner) in any area of water and air research.  The award is made to recognize not only the student's excellence in oral presentation skills but also the relevance and impact his or her research efforts will have on society and also to encourage other students to develop and improve their oral presentation skills and to participate in future competitions.

Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Award of Excellence

Best Poster Presentation:  Certificate and Award of $400

The Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Award of Excellence in Poster Presentation is made to the most outstanding poster presenter (excluding the Hargis Award winners) in any area of water and air research:  The award is made to recognize not only the student's excellence in poster development and presentation skills but also the relevance and impact his or her research efforts will have on society and also to encourage other students to develop and improve their poster development and presentation skills and to participate in future competitions.

Donald R. Davis Undergraduate Distinction Award

Superior Achievement, Academic Excellence, Distinctive Service:  Certificate and Award of $400

The Davis undergraduate award is sponsored by the Donald R. Davis Endowment to the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences.  The award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in writing, speaking, and visual poster or oral presentation skills.  The late Dr. Davis was Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources and served as the HWR Undergraduate Coordinator and fearless advocate for undergraduates for decades.  He was also the Senior Capstone Coordinator, a rotating instructor for the College of Engineering Freshman Core Course (ENGR 102), and Co-Designer/Co-Director of the Master of Engineering program in Water Resources Engineering in HWR.

Eugene S. Simpson Undergraduate Prize for Best Poster

Best Undergraduate Poster (Priority in Hydrogeology or Subsurface Hydrology):  Certificate and Award of $400

The Simpson undergraduate award is sponsored by the Eugene S. Simpson Endowment to the Department of Atmospheric Sciences. The award is made to the most outstanding undergraduate poster presenter (excluding the Hargis Award winners) with a priority in hydrogeology, subsurface hydrology, or environmental hydrology (water quality-water chemistry).  The award is made to recognize not only the student's excellence in poster development and presentation skills but also the relevance and impact his or her research efforts will have on society.  The award is also made to encourage other students to develop and improve their poster development and presentation skills and to participate in future competitions.