Centre students win prestigious Goldwater Scholarships

RELEASED: April 3, 2008



DANVILLE, KY—Centre College students regularly win the most prestigious national and international scholarships, including the Rhodes, Rotary and Fulbright, to name a few. But none of these storied awards is more highly regarded in the math, science and engineering undergraduate community than the Goldwater Scholarship. This year, Chase Palisch '09 (Gilbertsville, Ky.) and Benjamin Gowen '09 (Bardstown, Ky.), both biochemistry and molecular biology majors, each earned the award. This marks the first time in the College's history that two Goldwater Scholars have been named in the same year. Additionally, John Gruenewald '10 (Owensboro, Ky.), a physics major, was named an honorable mention.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for educational expenses to sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. The Goldwater Foundation seeks students in mathematics or the sciences who display intellectual curiosity and intensity and possess potential for significant future contributions in their chosen field. Sophomores awarded the scholarship receive two years of support; juniors receive one year of support.

"It's a huge honor and really exciting," Gowen says.

Gowen, who is a member of the Colonel Corps (a Centre group of volunteers that gives campus tours to prospective students), adds, "When I give tours, I usually mention that Centre's got a great track record for winning the Goldwater Scholarship. It's nice to be a part of that now."

Palisch, who says the application process wasn't easy, credits his achievements to "the opportunities afforded to students outside of the classroom."  

He continues, "My research experience began at Centre, assisting Dr. Anne Lubbers with American Ginseng studies, which later provided a fantastic research opportunity in neuroscience at Duke University. The personal attention given by professors at Centre paired with my opportunities outside the classroom led to my selection as a Goldwater Scholar."

Though Gruenewald is pleased with his honorable mention, he says he looks forward to next year when he will re-apply for the scholarship with a little more experience under his belt.

"I was happy to know that I'd been selected as an honorable mention for the Goldwater Scholarship; this provides me with a sense of motivation for improvement," Gruenewald says. "I realize that the nominees selected for this scholarship will be the same students competing for jobs, graduate schools or other pursuits in life."

Looking toward the future, both Gowen and Palisch plan to eventually begin careers in research and education, advance the study of their field and inspire future generations of Goldwater Scholars.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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