Two Ohio University students, Jessica Benson and Natalie Kruse, have been named as winners of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship.

Benson, who plans to pursue a doctorate in bioengineering and biophysics research, is a senior in the Honors Tutorial College, majoring in Engineering Physics. Kruse is a Civil Engineering major, with a minor in Geology, in the Russ College of Engineering. Both have also been named as finalists for the Rhodes Scholarship.

Benson and Kruse are the first two students from Ohio University to receive this award.

Kiet Phan, a telecommunications major from Akron, was selected as one of 79 winners of the Bridging Scholarship for Study in Japan, an award of $4,000. This is possibly the first time an OU student has won the award.

For more information on this award, see the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation web site, located at http://www.bridgingfoundation.org.

Two Ohio University students have been named Morris K. Udall Scholars for the 2003-2004 school year. Natalie Kruse and Deborah Thornton are among 80 undergraduate students to receive scholarships of up to $5,000. The scholarship is for students studying in fields related to the environment. Kruse and Thornton are the first Ohio University students to win the Udall Scholarship.

Ohio University senior Robert McDonie was awarded the Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship. McDonie, of Waverly, Ohio, is one of 94 winners in the nation.

  Past OU award winners

Three Ohio University students have been named Barry M. Goldwater Scholars for the 2003-04 school year. Juniors Jessica Benson, Kimberly Borley and Natalie Kruse were three of the 300 undergraduate students chosen from a field of 1,093 nominees nationwide, joining the six other Ohio University students receiving the award since its inception in 1986.

Benson, Borley and Kruse -- three of the 139 women receiving the award -- will each receive up to $7,500 from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship towards tuition, fees, books and room and board.

Benson, an Honors Tutorial College student and engineering physics major from McKeesport, Pa., plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in bioengineering and biophysics research. She hopes to conduct research in biological processes such as photosynthesis, tissue growth and cell signaling, as well as creating mechanisms that improve lives, are environmentally conscious and will lead to innovative engineering applications.

Borley, a native of Springfield, Ohio, is a marine biology major. Hoping to pursue a Ph.D. in marine biology, Borley plans on conducting research into the behavior of marine organisms and improving the quality of marine ecosystems.

Kruse, a civil engineering major from Athens, Ohio, plans to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental geochemistry. She hopes to conduct research, design remediation options and resource protection methods in a civil or environmental engineering firm.

Matt Kirwin (Arts & Sciences, International Studies, African Studies) has been awarded the David L. Boren Graduate Fellowship, an NSEP award. Kendra Koch (Arts & Sciences, International Studies) and Lauren Whitmer (HTC Spanish) have been awarded the David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship, also NSEP awards.

Patrick Madden (Arts & Sciences, Creative Writing) has been awarded the Fulbright Award for Graduate Study Abroad.

Dr. Elizabeth Collins (Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of Southeast Asian Studies program) and Dr. Richard Harvey (Associate Professor of History, College of Arts & Sciences) have been awarded the Fulbright Award for U.S. Faculty and Professionals.

Additional information about these award winners can be found in the May 11 edition of the ONCA E-News.

  Past OU award winners

Katherine Smith (HTC English) has been awarded the Truman Scholarship. The Truman is for students who are interested in pursuing careers in public service, and it judges candidates on academics, service and leadership. Katherine will receive $3,000 for her senior year, and $27,000 for law school. (Ohio University's last Truman winner was Priya Natarajan who won the award in 1994).

Dan Wik (HTC Astrophysics) has been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship. This award is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in math or science, and judges candidates based on their academic record, undergraduate research and a written research proposal. Dan will receive a $7,500 stipend next year.

Matt Hill (Arts & Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and College of Communication, Legal Communication) has also been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship for next year.

  Past OU award winners

Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding achievements:

Katherine Smith (Honors Tutorial College - English) as Harry S. Truman Scholarship Finalist

Sara Luttfring (Honors Tutorial College - English) as Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship In Humanistic Studies Semi-Finalist

Sherrlyn Borkgren (Communication - Visual Communication Graduate Program), Patrick Madden (Arts and Sciences - English Graduate Program), and Paige Robbins (Fine Arts - Music Therapy) as Fulbright U.S. Student Program Finalists

Hillary Goodson (Arts and Sciences - French Graduate Program) as French Government T.A. in English Finalist

  Past OU award winners

Allison Norwood as State Finalist for the Rhodes (and Goldwater winner last year). The Rhodes is one of the most competitive and prestigious awards available to students anywhere, and advancing to the state finalist stage is a great honor. The Goldwater Scholarship rewards math, science, and engineering majors of outstanding potential with support for the completion of undergraduate studies. It covers tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Allison will be attending the Ohio State University School of Medicine.

Jamie Miller as Finalist for the Marshall. The British Marshall Scholarship, which provides funding to study in the United Kingdom, stands along with the Rhodes in its exceptional prestige and competitiveness. The award covers living expenses, tuition, books, and airfare for two years. Jamie is majoring in Philosophy and Anthropology and has studied at the University of Edinburgh. He will be studying at Ohio University for one more year.

Kristen Flanagan as Finalist for the Truman. The Truman Scholarship assists future leaders in public service and government with funding for the senior year of undergraduate study and two or three years of graduate study anywhere in the United States. Kristin is a Political Science major and has one year of study left at Ohio University. She has also attended the University of Edinburgh.

Nancy Judd as Winner of the Goldwater. Nancy Judd is a sophomore majoring in Biological Sciences and Biochemistry. The Goldwater Scholarship will cover her final two years of undergraduate study at OU.

Dan Wik as Honorable Mention for the Goldwater. Dan Wik received the high honor of Honorable Mention in the Goldwater competition and stands an excellent chance of becoming a recipient of the award next year. Dan is a sophomore Physics and Astronomy major.

Margaux Cowden as Winner of the Mellon. The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship was established by the Mellon Foundation to "develop humanist teachers of outstanding promise." The award includes a stipend plus tuition and fees for the first year of graduate school. Margaux is an English major and will be pursuing a master's degree at the University of California at Irvine.

Sara Zimmerman as waiting list for NSEP. The National Security Education Program provides scholarships to US undergraduate students for study abroad in world areas critical to US National Security. Sara is in her fourth year at Ohio University and plans to study in Dakar, Senegal if selected for the NSEP.

  Past OU award winners