Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

The Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars Program

The Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars Program is named after Dr. Frances Knights Skeath, a pioneer in STEM education at Lycoming College. Frances Knights was hired as a professor of mathematics in 1947 as Dickinson Seminary and Junior College transitioned into the four-year Lycoming College. She earned a doctorate in the 1950s and by the 1960s rose to the rank of full professor and chair of the mathematics department. Along the way, she married another early leader at the College, J. Milton Skeath. She retired from Lycoming College in 1975.

This STEM Scholars Program recognizes students who plan to major in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, engineering physics, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, neuroscience, actuarial science, applied computer science, or mathematics. Over the past several years, Lycoming has deepened its long-standing commitment to STEM programs and facilities in recognition of the growing movement to ensure that our nation’s youth are prepared to research, analyze, and solve some of the complex challenges of today and tomorrow.

In addition to the student’s traditional merit scholarship, Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars receive:

  • A Knights Skeath EAE award of up to $5,000 in support of a STEM-based enhanced academic experience during the sophomore, junior, or senior year
  • Optional housing in the first-year STEM Residential Community
  • Enhanced STEM-based career advising
  • STEM Program mentors

Program Eligibility

The Skeath STEM Scholars program is among Lycoming’s most prestigious enrollment awards. Although we are test optional for admissions decisions, standardized test scores are utilized for top scholarship eligibility.

Eligible students must:

  • Plan to major in astronomy, astrophysics, physics, engineering physics, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, neuroscience, actuarial science, or mathematics
  • Have a minimum ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 1200 and minimum high school GPA of 3.50, or where test scores are unavailable, a minimum high school GPA of 3.85

Eligible students must apply and be admitted to Lycoming College by February 1. Upon admission, eligible students will receive an invitation to interview.

For more information on the Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars Program, please call or email Dr. Susan M. Ross, Dean of the College, in the Center for Enhanced Academic Experiences at 570-321-4602 or ross@lycoming.edu.

Meet Our Frances Knights Skeath STEM Scholars

Carter Branigan '24

Carter Branigan '24

Biology (Cell & Molecular) Major
Philosophy Minor

American Association of Immunologists Advanced Class in Immunology, Boston, MA, Summer 2022

"This course was an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into ongoing research in the field. Each topic was taught by experts in the field from historically rigorous universities including Harvard, MIT, and UPenn. This class has affirmed my own research interests, and the connections I made during the class with graduate students, professors, and researchers are a solid foundation for deciding what to pursue after Lycoming."

Lily Saar '23

Lily Saar '23

Biology (Cell and Molecular) Major
Chemistry Minor

University of North Texas
BioDiscovery Institute

"I could not have asked for a better internship experience than the one I had working in Dr. Chapman’s Lab at the University of North Texas. I learned so many new techniques and so much new information, and it really helped my confidence in my lab skills."