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News Release
COLLEGE NEWS RELEASE / April 10, 2009
Boise State Engineering Student Awarded Coveted Goldwater
Scholarship
Boise State University junior Shatakshi Goyal has been awarded a prestigious
2009 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the fourth in the university’s history.
She is one of 278 winners out of 1,097 hopefuls nominated by faculty members
of colleges and universities nationwide, and the scholarship will cover her
tuition, fees, books and room and board up to $7,500 for the 2009-2010
academic year. All of the nominees are undergraduate sophomores and juniors
pursuing degrees in mathematics, science or engineering, and winners were
selected on the basis of academic merit.
Of the 278 Goldwater Scholars this year, 163 are men and 115 are women, and
most intend to obtain doctoral degrees. Fifty-one are in engineering
disciplines, including Goyal, and the distinction is a first for Boise
State’s College of Engineering. The 17-year-old electrical and computer
engineering major maintains a 3.96 GPA and is involved in a variety of
extracurricular activities. She has served two terms as president of the
Indian Student Association and is a dynamic member of the Engineering Honor
Society. Her community service ranges from performing classical Indian dance
to raise funds for cancer research to organizing student cookie bakes for
American troops in Iraq.
In addition to many other scholarships, Goyal was selected in 2006 for a
National Society of Collegiate Scholars merit scholarship, which is awarded
to the top 50 undergraduate students in the country. She also has won a
competitive Micron Foundation Scholarship given only to two Boise State
engineering students each year.
“Shatakshi has demonstrated exemplary dedication and amazing work ethic,
especially at such a young age,” said Janet Callahan, a professor and
associate dean of academic affairs in the College of Engineering who
nominated Goyal for the Goldwater Scholarship.
Goyal said her goal is to finish her bachelor’s degree next year before
pursuing graduate research in biomedical engineering and a teaching position
at the university level after completing a Ph.D. program.
“The famous and ancient Indian text of Bhagvad Gita describes: ‘Whatever
action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he
sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues (Bhagvad Gita 3.21).’
Therefore, I want to become a leader who teaches by her own example,” Goyal
said. “This scholarship award will greatly enhance my ambitions.”
“Shatakshi is an outstanding scholar, and we are proud that her
accomplishments have been recognized with this prestigious award,” said
College of Engineering Dean Cheryl B. Schrader. “Being a Goldwater Scholar
will greatly enhance her goal of pursuing a research and teaching career in
biomedical engineering.”
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was
established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who
served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman. The purpose of
the Goldwater Scholarship 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.
Past Boise State winners include Amber Hibberd (chemistry, 2004), Alina
Schimpf (chemistry/math, 2007) and Lisa Young (chemistry, 2007).
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Media Contact: Kathleen Tuck, University Communications, (208)
426-3275, erinryan@boisestate.edu
Boise State University is “The New U Rising” with record student
enrollment, new academic buildings, additional degree programs and a growing
research agenda. Learn more at
www.boisestate.edu.
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Last reviewed on
Friday, April 10, 2009
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