Maryville native receives two awards from Marquette University

MILWAUKEE, WI (05/23/2013)(readMedia)-- MILWAUKEE – Abigail Searfoss, daughter of Joel and Marianne Searfoss, was honored with the Gold Medal Award from Marquette University's Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. Searfoss, of Maryville, Tenn., graduated in May with a bachelor of science in physics.

The Gold Medal Award is given to the graduating senior or seniors with the highest cumulative grade point average. Of the many awards recognizing academic achievement by students in the College of Arts and Sciences, none speaks so clearly of the recipient's intelligence, commitment to studies, academic discipline and extraordinary passion to learn as the Gold Medal Award.

Searfoss also received the Stephen Weinrich Memorial Award from Marquette University's Department of Physics. Originally known as the Outstanding Physics Major Award, this award was renamed to honor the memory of Stephen Weinrich who received it in 1982. The award is made to a senior physics major who demonstrates leadership through academic performance, service and has achieved academic distinction.

At Marquette, Searfoss was the founding member and president of the Women in Physics Club, president of the Physics Club and a member of both Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Pi Sigma. After graduation, she will go on to work towards an advanced degree entering a doctorate program.

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