Scripps College Student Honored with Barry Goldwater Scholarship

Scripps College junior Hannah Shoenhard has earned a scholarship from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation making her one of only 272 sophomores and juniors to receive the honor.

Shoenhard, a junior majoring in neuroscience and philosophy, aspires to earn a doctorate degree to conduct research in cellular neuroscience and to teach at a university, university officials wrote in a news release. Shoenhard is from Nevada and is one of two 2013 Goldwater Scholars from that state, university officials said.

Shoenhard can also add Jeopardy! contestant. She appeared on the show, hosted by Alex Trebek, earlier this week, University officials said.

Goldwater Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,107 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by faculties of colleges and universities nationwide, according to the university. One hundred seventy-six of the scholars are men, while 95 are women. Virtually all intend to obtain a doctorate degree.

“Goldwater Scholars have impressive academic qualifications,” University officials said. “Recent Goldwater Scholars have been awarded 80 Rhodes Scholarships, 118 Marshall Awards, 110 Churchill Scholarships and numerous other distinguished fellowships.”

In 1986, the U.S. Congress established the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program 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 foundation’s purpose 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.