NDSU has nominated four students for the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship. The nominees include sophomores Bridget Eklund, Nicole Marie Snyder, Loren Anderson and junior John Breker.
The goal of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to become the country’s future scientists, mathematicians and engineers. Funding for the awards has been established in the Treasury of the United States.
”We have received a dozen, well-qualified applications,” said R. S. Krishnan, senior vice provost. “It was a difficult decision for the committee to select four students as institutional nominees. All four of our nominees have excellent academic and undergraduate research records, and all are deserving of the scholarship.”
Eklund is a biotechnology major who attended Hill-Murray High School in Maplewood, Minn. She worked in the laboratory of Nathan Fisher, assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences, and had the opportunity to attend a protozoa conference at Bradley University, Peoria, Ill. She says she enjoys learning about pathogens and different virulent microbes.
“I hope to be able to make discoveries that will increase the understanding of microbes in order to improve the quality of life,” Eklund wrote in her scholarship application, noting she plans to earn a doctorate in microbiology. “I look forward to the opportunity to make scientific discoveries by starting my own research program.”
Snyder, who attended Dell Rapids, S.D., High School, is majoring in biochemistry/molecular biology and zoology. She has worked three years in the laboratory of Wendy Reed, associate professor and head of biological sciences. She has helped raise Franklin’s Gulls, and assisted in a USDA red-winged blackbird research project.
“Through my experience, I feel I will be well prepared to begin work on my Ph.D.,” Snyder wrote in her application. “My passion for ornithology began many years before college and I plan to continue studying birds as a career.”
Anderson is a mathematics major who attended Century High School in Bismarck, N.D. Last summer, he participated in an eight-week research experience for undergraduates in Auburn, Ala. During that time, he worked on projects in the field of discrete mathematics, and produced an article, titled “Constructively Coloring the Line,” that was published in the Geombinatorics journal.
Anderson plans to seek a doctorate in discrete mathematics, with the hope to become a research professor. “My research goals would be to attempt open problems in the field and problems that could be applied to physics or computer science,” he wrote in his application. “One of my lifelong goals is to make a positive impact on mathematics education.”
Breker is a soil science major who attended Sargent Central High School in Forman, N.D. His research interests are the effects of soil chemistry on soil fertility and the chemical reactions of fertilizers in soil, especially phosphorus fixation mechanisms.
“My goal is to conduct meaningful research to improve the management of our soil resources to meet the ever-increasing demand for agricultural products, focusing on soil-plant interactions with respect to soil microbiology and soil chemistry,” Breker wrote in his application. He plans to pursue a doctorate, followed by a career in academia.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was authorized by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years as a U.S. Senator.
Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. Award recipients will be notified in mid-spring.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.