History: The fund was established in July 1986 as a scholarship account for the Department of Earth Sciences, named in honor of a Geology Major who was killed in an automobile accident. The initial contribution was made by Alfred R Denmark, a 1971 USA graduate and brother of the student. His contribution as an alumnus was matched by the University. In 1994, this scholarship was combined with the Faggard Award in order to produce a single award. In 1996, the Department of Earth Sciences began to award a separate Denmark Award of $125.00 per year. The value of the award in 2006 was $250.00.

In 2007, the Department of Earth Sciences in conjunction with the Denmark family renamed the award the James Denmark-Wayne Isphording Award to acknowledge Professor Wayne Isphording for 40 years of service to the Department and the University of South Alabama. Prof. Isphording retired in May 2007. The Denmark/Isphording cash award is made to the student with the highest grades in GY 342 and GY 343.

Past Recipients of the Denmark/Isphording Award

1996 David Hypes	1997 Christie Hardin	1998 Jonathon Clarke
1999 Not Awarded	2000 Not Awarded	2001 Anna Morisanni
2002 Not Awarded	2003 Elizabeth Barclay	2004 Lane Dorman
2005 Katie Kowalski	2006 Derek Bromstad	2007 Tyler Johnson

Responsible Parties: Students are generally nominated for this award by faculty who teach those classes (Haywick and Allison); however, students may nominate themselves for this award. The Denmark/Isphording Award is administered by Dr. Doug Haywick, Scholarships Co-ordinator in the Department of Earth Sciences.