Two Students Named 2010 Goldwater Scholars

Photo Submitted

Kristin Watson (left) and Nicole Lorenz

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Two University of Arkansas students have received the highly competitive Goldwater Scholarship, an award for top students in mathematics, science and engineering. Kristin Watson from Benton and Nicole Lorenz, of Chicago, are among 278 students in the nation to be named Goldwater Scholars. They will each receive a $7500 award.

Kristin Watson is a junior physics majors in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and her research mentor is research associate John Shultz.

Nicole Lorenz is a chemical engineering major in the College of Engineering, and her research mentor is assistant professor Jamie Hestekin.

Both students are members of the Honors College.

This is 15th consecutive year that a University of Arkansas student has been named a Goldwater Scholar.

“These are two remarkable young women. Both are planning careers in research and will be actively involved in creating new knowledge that will benefit us all,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “I am very proud of Nicole and Kristin and what they have accomplished throughout their time at the University of Arkansas, culminating in this very special award. I am also proud of their faculty mentors, who were instrumental in this achievement. The recognition these students have received makes clear that our programs are preparing students to succeed at the national level. I have no doubt that we will be reading about their accomplishments for years to come.”

Kristin Watson, a Sturgis fellow and National Merit scholar, plans to earn a doctoral degree in nuclear or condensed-matter science. She hopes one day to work in association with NASA or in research developing clean, efficient, alternative energy sources.

“During my sophomore year of high school, a physicist came to speak to the science club about black holes,” she remembered. “I found myself entranced by the thought of an entity that twists time and consumes anything near it. The mutability, span and endless possibilities of science appeal to me, and though my interests have evolved, I still find myself excited about the prospect of studying clean energy alternatives.”

“Our record with Barry Goldwater Scholarships is remarkable, but finally not surprising,” said Bill Schwab, dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. “We have outstanding faculty, who have a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching and to undergraduate research. When you combine great faculty with students who are as bright and as prepared as any in the country, then good things are bound to happen. Kristin Watson is a perfect example of a very talented student who is working with a dedicated faculty member and the result is compelling research.”

Nicole Lorenz is an Honors College fellow and an Honors College Research Grant recipient. She plans to earn a doctoral degree working in solar or wind power or in biofuels research.

“After graduate school, I would like to work in a national lab conducting research related to improving environmental health. My mother was also a chemical engineer and was one of only two women in her graduating class. Now I am in a chemical engineering class that is almost one-third women. As a scientist, I hope I can be a role model for young women considering technical fields as my mother was for me.”

“Nicole is an excellent representative of the College of Engineering,” said Ashok Saxena, dean of the college. “She is a nearly flawless student in a tough discipline. She is capable; she is curious; and she is energetic. And her energies extend beyond the classroom. She is actively involved in Engineers without Borders. She volunteers at Washington Regional and Leverett Elementary School, and her work with Jamie Hestekin in the lab has been exemplary. The Goldwater program recognizes academic excellence in the sciences and engineering, and the selection committee was right on the mark when it chose Nicole Lorenz.”

The University of Arkansas had its first Goldwater Scholars in 1991. Since then 43 University of Arkansas students have received the award.

Previous university Goldwater Scholars have gone on to become a Rhodes Scholar, a Marshall Scholar, a Gates Cambridge Scholar, a Fulbright Scholar, a Udall Scholar; seven became National Science Graduate Fellows. They have pursued doctoral work at prestigious programs including University of Virginia, University of Michigan, University of California-Berkeley, Cambridge University, Columbia University, Cornell University, MIT, St. Andrews (Scotland), Oxford, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University and Washington University.

Goldwater Scholars are selected from a field of more than a thousand mathematics, science and engineering students, who must be nominated by their institution. Each institution put forward their top four students. The Scholars are chosen on the basis of academic merit and research experience. They must have strong support from a research mentor as well.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor former Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, and the first scholarships were awarded in 1988. 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. Universities and colleges may nominate up to four students each year.