CONWAY, Ark. (May 8, 2019) – Two Hendrix
College juniors, Sarah Nicholson ’20 of Little Rock, Ark., and Kate Sanders ’20
of Cave City, Ark., have recently received Goldwater Scholarships from The
Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Nicholson,
a physics major, and Sanders, a computer science and mathematics major, are the
32nd and 33rd Hendrix students to receive this honor in
the 31-year history of the scholarship competition.
Nicholson’s research is in theoretical physics.
She is studying a particle known as a neutralino, and her work will help to
determine if this particle is a component of dark matter. Nicholson’s mentor
for her Goldwater research proposal was physics professor Dr. Todd Tinsley ’98,
who was named a 1997 Goldwater Scholar.
Sanders’ research applies computer science to
her second academic love, biology. She is developing a biogeographical model of
a hemiparasitic (extract resources from their host, but retain the ability to
photosynthesize) plant, which will be an important tool that could be used to
map the spread of parasitic plants into commercially valuable forests. Biology
professor Dr. Adam Schneider served as research proposal mentor for Sanders.
Rachel Lance ’20 and Rebecca Parham ’21 were
also nominated by the College, and their research mentors were Drs. Laura
MacDonald ’09 and Courtney Hatch ’00. And biology professor Dr. Jenn Dearolf,
the current Goldwater Campus Representative, ushered Hendrix’s Goldwater
nominees through the process.
“The Goldwater Foundation recognizes the best
of the best students from over 400 institutions across the United States, and this
year, they only awarded scholarships to 40% of the students that applied. Thus,
we are ecstatic that two of our students were recognized. And, this achievement
would not have been possible without the high quality of our students at
Hendrix, as well as the excellent mentors that are available to them in their
classrooms and research labs,” Dearolf said. “It’s a well-deserved honor for
Sarah and Kate, and I am extremely proud of all of our nominees this year.”
About the Goldwater Scholarship
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education
Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater
and to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists,
mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who
intend to pursue research careers in these fields. It is widely considered the
most prestigious award bestowed on undergraduates studying in the natural
sciences.
About Hendrix College
A private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, Hendrix
College consistently earns recognition as one of the country’s leading liberal
arts institutions, and is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40
Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic
quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture
in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, Hendrix has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more,
visit www.hendrix.edu.