DATE: April 16, 2009
CONTACT:
Ricki Shine, 864-656-2428
rshine@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Susan Polowczuk, 864-656-2063
spolowc@clemson.edu
Clemson engineering and science students named Goldwater Scholars
CLEMSON — Three Clemson University students have earned the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering and one has received an honorable mention. Only 278 students were selected for the scholarships nationwide from a pool of more than 1,000.
The scholarship program honoring Sen. Barry M. Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, engineering and the natural sciences.
The Clemson awardees are James Hodges, a junior from Sumter studying for a double degree in chemistry and polymer and fiber chemistry; Michael Juang, a junior from Clemson, studying electrical engineering; Jennifer Moffitt, a sophomore from Spartanburg, studying chemical and biomolecular engineering; and honorable mention recipient Kemper Talley, a sophomore from Easley majoring in physics.
Approximately one-third of the Goldwater Scholarships go to sophomores with the other two-thirds going to juniors.
“Congratulations to our award-winning students,” said Esin Gulari, dean of the College of Engineering and Science. “This is such an honor for Clemson to have three Goldwater awardees and one of them as a sophomore. What a testament this is to the talent and hard work of our students and the faculty who generously mentor them.”
Three of the students started their research at Clemson as part of the EUREKA! Program in the Calhoun Honors College. The program is designed to introduce undergraduate honors students to research and scholarly activities with faculty across all disciplines.
Goldwater Scholars are selected for academic merit from a field of 1,110 mathematics, science and engineering sophomores and juniors nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 per year. Many of the scholars have dual majors in disciplines such as mathematics, sciences, engineering and computing. Their impressive academic qualifications often garner the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs.