Sophomore Geoffrey Lynn, a chemistry major from Deland, Fla., has become the first Elon student to earn a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship.
Lynn will receive a maximum of $7,500 each of the next two years to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board.
Working closely with Joel Karty, assistant professor of chemistry, Lynn has participated extensively in undergraduate research. Lynn presented at Elon’s Student Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) last year on his research into periodic precipitation reactions, and continued his research last summer through a SURE scholarship.
A nominating committee of Elon faculty chose Lynn and one other student to apply for the scholarship. Lynn wrote an essay as part of his package of nomination materials on drug delivery and how it can be used most efficiently in the fight against cancer and other diseases.
“Elon had a lot to do with giving me the credentials to get this award,” said Lynn, who hopes to pursue graduate school studies in the medical and research fields after Elon. He credits the office of undergraduate research with giving him the confidence to present at two national conferences this spring.
The scholarship program honoring Sen. Barry Goldwater fosters and encourages outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of math, the natural sciences and engineering. The scholarships are considered the premier undergraduate award of its type in those fields.
This year, 320 scholarships were awarded from a field of 1,091 students. More than 4,500 scholarships totalling approximately $45 million have been awarded since the program’s inception in 1986.
-30-