NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The Goldwater Scholarship, named after former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, is awarded to college sophomores and juniors based on their intent and potential to pursue careers researching the natural sciences, engineering or mathematics. Two students at the University of Oklahoma are among this year’s recipients.
Andrew Muehr, a junior in the school of meteorology, said he had his sights set on the Goldwater scholarship ever since his freshman year.
“As a STEM student, it seemed like the perfect fit for me because research has been my primary focus during undergrad and I plan to pursue a Ph.D.,” Muehr said. “I enjoyed writing the research essay; it was a challenge distilling the findings of my now-published work into three pages comprehensible to the average STEM reader, but the final product was rewarding, and it has certainly sharpened my proposal-writing skills. I worked hard during my first two and a half years as an undergraduate student conducting research and ultimately publishing a paper on the dynamics of severe thunderstorms, and this feels like a culmination of that effort that I can celebrate.”
Aidan Sudler, a junior in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, said applying for this scholarship helped solidify his desire to pursue a career in physics research.
“By taking the time to positively reflect on my research experiences at OU, I feel clear about the specific research areas in physics that interest me and the steps I should take to further explore my interests,” Sudler said. “I am honored to receive the Goldwater scholarship, and I would like to thank those who have helped me thus far, including Prof. Doerte Blume, Prof. Qingze Guan, and the other professors, students, and family members who have encouraged me along the way.”
The scholarship can be for one or two years and covers the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 a year.
“The Goldwater Scholarship not only symbolizes academic excellence but also underscores the profound impact of nurturing curiosity, dedication, and innovation exhibited by Andrew Muehr and Aidan Sudler," Kelvin White, Honors College interim dean, said. "We are proud of their research, ability to capture opportunities at the university, and we are excited to see the foundations they continue to build for their future."
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. OU was named the state’s highest-ranking university in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent Best Colleges list. For more information about the university, visit ou.edu.
David Ciesla, D.D.S., M.S., MAS, clinical assistant professor and director of the pediatric dentistry residency program at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, was recently awarded the Ann Page Griffin Humanitarian Award by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
The University of Oklahoma will honor the achievements of the Class of 2024 during individual Commencement ceremonies, scheduled to begin Thursday, May 7 at Lloyd Noble Center, 2900 S. Jenkins Ave. A time-honored tradition filled with pageantry, graduates and guests will be welcomed by bagpipers and color guards at each ceremony.
One hundred and fifty-four University of Oklahoma undergraduate students eligible to graduate in May maintained a perfect 4.0 grade-point average throughout their academic careers at OU. Of the total, 72 reside in Oklahoma.
