Two Michigan State University students have been named 2013-14 Goldwater Scholars. Both are juniors in the College of Natural Science and the Honors College. A third MSU student received an honorable mention.
Erik Bates of Ada and Kayla Felger of Ft. Wayne, Ind., will receive a Goldwater Scholarship for the 2013-14 academic year. Jacob Ludwig of Lake Orion received an honorable mention.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awarded 271 scholarships from a field of 1,107 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide.
A total of 34 Goldwater Scholarships have been awarded to MSU students throughout the years.
“It is very exciting that these students have been recognized for their excellence in and dedication to research,” said Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore, dean of the Honors College. “The Goldwater Foundation plays an important role in helping MSU and other research universities assist students in following their research passions.”
Bates, a graduate of Forest Hills Eastern High School in Ada, is majoring in advanced mathematics. He plans to obtain a doctorate in mathematics and perform research in a pure or applied mathematical discipline while teaching at the collegiate level.
“This award is a reflection of the opportunities I’ve had to work with excellent MSU faculty on interesting and important problems,” Bates said. “I am honored by the personal recognition.”
Felger, a graduate of Carroll High School in Ft. Wayne, Ind., is majoring in chemistry and human biology. She plans to obtain a doctorate in organic chemistry and design biomedical materials that are both affordable and manufactured from renewable resources.
“I feel honored to have received this scholarship and to have had the opportunity to be a part of the research at Michigan State,” Felger said. “I am grateful to the professors and fellow students who have helped me learn, and I look forward to continuing this work.”
Ludwig, a graduate of Lake Orion High School, is a junior majoring in chemistry in the College of Natural Science. Ludwig plans to pursue a doctorate in organic chemistry conducting research in both organic and medicinal chemistry, as well as teach at the university level.
For more information on the Goldwater Scholarship, visit www.act.org/goldwater.