Last modified: Thursday, April 14, 2011
IU undergraduates honored with Goldwater Scholarships, Palmer-Brandon Prizes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Four students in Indiana University's College of Arts and Sciences have been named the recipients of prestigious scholarships.
Sophomore Kent Griffith and junior Kimberly Long received the 2011 $7,500-per-year Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. This year's recipients of the $20,000 Palmer-Brandon Prize in the Humanities are IU juniors Adelaide Bryan and Kyle Fletcher.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served the country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the program is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.
Long, who will receive funding for her senior year, is earning degrees in biology and French; this year she is studying abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France. She is a graduate of Munster High School in Munster, Ind., and conducts research under the direction of Biology Professor Greg Demas. Her career goals include earning a Ph.D. in neuroscience, conducting neuro-endocrinology research and teaching.
Griffith, whose mentor is chemistry Professor Dennis Peters, will receive funding for his junior and senior years. A chemistry and geological sciences major, he is also earning a certificate in IU's Liberal Arts and Management Program. Griffith is a member of the IU Science, Technology and Research Scholars Program (IU STARS). He is a graduate of Blue River Valley Jr./Sr. High School in Moreland, Ind., and plans to earn a Ph.D. in physics or mathematical physics. His eventual goals are to conduct research in quantum field theory or elementary particles and teach at the university level.
Palmer-Brandon Prize
The $20,000 Palmer-Brandon Prize is given annually to outstanding full-time College of Arts and Sciences students who are majoring in the humanities. Recipients of the award are considered to be in the top 1 percent of undergraduates in their discipline.
Bryan, of Lincoln, Neb., is majoring in Near Eastern languages and cultures and anthropology. She studied abroad in Cairo last fall for eight months, teaching English classes and learning Arabic.
Fletcher, whose hometown is Greenwood, Ind., has majors in philosophy and economics. He is also the recipient of a 2011 Provost's Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, recognizing achievement and originality. His mentor is Sandra L. Shapshay, assistant professor of philosophy.
"Every year, students in the College are recognized locally, nationally and internationally for their academic excellence and their potential for future success," said David Zaret, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "I am constantly amazed by the high level of achievement among our undergraduate students. My warmest congratulations go to these four outstanding students."