Senior Anna Lieb has been awarded Churchill and Goldwater scholarships. (Photo courtesy of Anna Lieb)

The 2009-2010 academic year has already proven to be successful for a select number of CU-Boulder students. The most recent top scholarship competition round named six CU-Boulder students as scholarship recipients, and another four as finalists.

Top scholarships are classified as nationally competitive scholarships, fellowships, and awards. Among these are the Marshall Scholarship, Churchill Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship, and the Astronaut Scholarship, all of which were awarded to CU-Boulder students.

“Top scholarships differ from local or university scholarships because they are at a higher, national level,” said Deborah Viles, top scholarship advisor. “Students must also be recommended by their institution to apply for a top scholarship.”

The Churchill Scholarship has been awarded to Anna Lieb, a senior majoring in applied mathematics and engineering physics. Each year the Churchill Foundation offers up to 14 scholarships to students of the United States to study for one year at Churchill College, Cambridge University in England. The scholarship covers all educational expenses amounting to approximately $44,000-$50,000, depending on rate of exchange. Criteria for Churchill scholars include a GPA ranking of 3.7-3.9, and a bachelor’s degree in the fields of mathematics, science or engineering.

Lieb had recently returned from a family trip to Peru when she received an email informing her she was a Churchill finalist. “I was so excited,” she said. “I read it three or four times before I could process it.” Lieb is also a Goldwater Scholar.

Mitesh Shridar, a senior majoring in biochemistry and molecular, cellular and developmental biology, has been awarded one of 40 Marshall Scholarships. The scholarship will allow Shridhar to pursue a master’s degree in pharmacology at Cambridge University.

Three additional CU-Boulder students were recently awarded prestigious scholarships. The 2009 Astronaut Scholarship was received by Riley Pack, a senior double majoring in electrical, computer and energy engineering, and applied mathematics. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awards 19 $10,000 scholarships annually to cooperating institutions. Scholars must be either juniors or seniors with an academic emphasis in science, engineering or mathematics. Since 1995, 13 Astronaut Scholarships have been awarded to CU-Boulder students.

Julia Goodrich, a senior majoring in computer science, and Robert Rogers, a junior majoring in chemical and biological engineering, are recent Goldwater Scholarship recipients. The Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to highly qualified students in the fields of engineering, mathematics and science. The scholarship has a maximum value of $7,500 per academic year, and covers the costs of tuition, books, room and board, and other fees. Twenty CU-Boulder students have received Goldwater Scholarships since 1999.

Several CU-Boulder students also were recently named as finalists for top scholarships. Mark Arnoldy, a senior psychology major and Puksta Scholar, and Illana Fischer, a senior double majoring in economics and Spanish literature, were both finalists for the Truman Scholarship, awarded to students demonstrating exceptional leadership qualities and pursuing a career in government, public service and nonprofit work. The scholarship offers financial support for graduate study and other leadership opportunities for scholars.

Dreux Moreland, a senior majoring in English and film studies, is a Marshall Alternate.

CU-Boulder graduate Todd Driver is a recent Rhodes finalist. Driver graduated with honors in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry. He is currently enrolled in medical school at the University of California. The Rhodes scholarship is a prestigious, well-rounded scholarship that is awarded to students demonstrating sincere literary and academic accomplishments, a strong demonstration of athleticism, and a strong character. Thirty-two scholarships are awarded annually to U.S. students, while another 50 are distributed to students in select countries. Two academic years are provided for scholarship recipients at Oxford University. The scholarship provides cost of living expenses in addition to tuition, room and board, and other fees.

The most recent CU-Boulder Rhodes scholar is 1993 recipient Jim Hansen. Hansen was a three-time All American defensive tackle for the National American Football League, and the captain of the Colorado Buffaloes. He received his doctorate from Oxford University in oceanic and planetary physics. Hansen is currently a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, teaching earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences.

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