Ohio University junior John Blischak has been named a 2009-10 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, while sophomore Eden Almasude receive an honorable mention.
Blischak, who was one of 278 college students selected from a field of 1,100 nominated students, is studying molecular biology. Almasude, a 16-year-old sophomore also studying molecular biology, will be eligible to apply again next year.
Congress created the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona, a 30-year senator and 1964 presidential candidate. Each year the program awards undergraduate students who excel in science, mathematics, engineering and computer science. The scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 a year.
It's a very competitive award
said Ann Brown, director of OU's Office of Nationally Competitive Awards. It's a big deal.
Each school is allowed to nominate up to four students each year, and OU uses a pre-application process to screen potential nominees, Brown said.
OU received three Goldwater scholarships last year, trailing only Ohio State University for the most of any Ohio school.
Some years we've had one other years three. It goes in cycles. Brown said.
Brown added that a larger number of applicants, a higher quality of applicants and a fewer number of total scholarships were all factors this year.
Eleven Ohio schools received Goldwater scholarships, with Oberlin College and Kenyon College receiving two scholarships each. Overall, Ohio schools won three fewer awards than last year.
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Wesley Lowery
