Two LSU Students Named Prestigious Goldwater Scholars, Another Receives Honorable Mention

John Casey

Kendig

Claire Kendig

April 18, 2007 —Two LSU students have been awarded prestigious, nationally competitive Goldwater Scholarships by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, and another LSU student received Honorable Mention. The scholarships will be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

The 2007 LSU Goldwater Scholars are John Casey, a junior biological engineering major from Lewisville, Texas, and Claire Kendig, a sophomore chemistry major from Shreveport. Harold “Hal” Boutte Jr., a junior chemistry/biochemistry major from Baton Rouge, earned Honorable Mention from the Goldwater program. All three are also members of the LSU Honors College.

The Board of Trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awarded 317 scholarships nationwide for the 2007-2008 academic year.

The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,110 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. One hundred seventy-four of the scholars are men, 143 are women and virtually all intend to obtain a Ph.D. as their degree objective. Twenty-eight scholars are mathematics majors, 223 are science and related majors, 54 are majoring in engineering and 12 are computer science majors.

Casey, who plans to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering after graduation, hopes to conduct research and develop promising genetic phenomena such as RNAi into practical, expedient therapies and apply these techniques to the amelioration of ailments such as cancer or AIDS.

Kendig, who plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in biological chemistry after graduation, hopes to conduct field research in Africa, while researching and teaching at a university in the United States on the treatment of infectious diseases such as cholera or malaria.

Boutte, who plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. in neuropharmacology after graduation, hopes to conduct research involving the effects of hormonal activation on insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetics at a leading research university.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.

Requirements for the scholarship include U.S. citizenship, being ranked in the top one-fourth of their class, institutional nomination and a planned career in science, math or engineering. For more information, visit www.act.org/goldwater.

Forever LSU thanks you for your continued financial support of our students, faculty and programs. Our goal is to raise $750 million by 2010. Please visit www.foreverlsu.org for more information on how we're progressing and how every Tiger can help.

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Michelle Spielman
LSU Office of Public Affairs