Three students from the University of Colorado at Boulder received prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships for undergraduate academic excellence in the fields of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering.
CU-Boulder junior Katherine Francis and sophomores Saverio Spagnolie and Gadalia Weinberg were among 309 undergraduate students to receive the scholarships for the 2000-01 academic year. A total of 1,176 undergraduate students were nominated nationwide for the awards.
Goldwater scholarships are designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of math, science and engineering. Each scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board costs of up to $7,500 annually for one to two years.
"It is remarkable that CU has three Goldwater Scholars this year, especially given that there were 507 universities competing for these scholarships," said Professor James Meiss of applied mathematics. "I believe this reflects the excellent research opportunities available at CU, as well as the academic excellence of our students."
Francis, 21, is an undergraduate double major in molecular, cellular and developmental biology and philosophy from Rochester, N.Y. She plans to earn a doctorate in neuroscience and specialize in neurology.
Spagnolie, 19, from Englewood, is pursuing his undergraduate degree in applied mathematics. His career goal is to obtain a doctorate in mathematics and applied mathematics and hopes to gain experience in as many areas of mathematics as possible.
Weinberg, 20, of Boulder, is an undergraduate mathematics major with the goal of getting a doctorate in pure mathematics. She plans to pursue a career in research and teaching at an institute of higher education.
Congress established the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation in 1986 to pay tribute to Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, who served for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate. The foundation aims to alleviate the nation's shortage of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to encourage and support college students who intend to pursue careers in those fields.