Biology majors Colin Godwin and Kipp Weiskopf each recieved a Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarship for graduate study. According to the foundation's Web site, the program, established in 1959, offers "American students of exceptional ability and outstanding achievement the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in engineering, mathematics, or the sciences at Churchill College, the University of Cambridge."
Godwin plans to spend his time studying cancer biology at Cambridge for a year before entering medical school. "I'll be doing research in the laboratory of Dr. Ashok Venkitaraman, a faculty member of the Cambridge Department of Oncology," he explained. "Dr. Venkitaraman studies the causes of cancer, in particular how misregulation of chromosome number and/or the cell reproduction cycle can make cells more vulnerable to becoming cancerous. I also hope to play soccer as a member of Churchill College, as well as travel around Europe."
While Godwin works towards finding a cure for cancer, Weiskopf will be pursuing a Master of Philosophy degree in biological sciences in Cambridge's Department of Genetics. He said, "I will be conducting research in the lab of Dr. David Glover, which is aimed at gaining an understanding of cancer by investigating the fundamental processes of cell cycle regulation and cell division."
Weiskopf commented on Godwin's and his selection for the Scholarship, saying, "The fact that both Amherst Churchill nominees were awarded a scholarship this year, the first time two people from the same school have ever won, is evidence of the strength of the science program here at Amherst." He continued, "Most importantly, I think this demonstrates the caliber of the biology faculty, who have all conveyed their enthusiasm for biology and have been instrumental in sparking my interest in research."
"I think it's great that both Kipp and I will be going on the Churchill Scholarship; it'll be nice to have a familiar face in Cambridge next year," Godwin commented. "It also takes Amherst's total of Churchill Scholars to five in the past six years. That's not too bad."
History and political science major Nick Michlewicz and geology major Hilary Palevsky were both awarded Thomas J. Watson Fellowships, which provide one-year grants for independent study and travel outside of the United States to graduating seniors nominated by participating institutions.
Palevsky said of her decision to apply for the Fellowship, "I knew I wanted to take a year or two between Amherst and graduate school to not do something traditionally academic or career-oriented. The Watson seemed like a perfect opportunity to work on a project that I really care about without being constrained by academic requirements or deadlines. Plus, the chance for funded international travel on my own terms made the fellowship seem like an ideal adventure."
With the support of the Fellowship, Palevsky plans to travel to Iceland, Denmark, the United Kingdom and Newfoundland, Canada to study cod fishery management in the North Atlantic. "My goal is to see how management works from the inside, by spending time with fishermen and fishing communities, with scientists studying cod populations, and the policy-makers who ultimately decide how the fishery will be managed," she explained. "Ideally, by visiting many different countries and working with different fishery stakeholders in each place, I will be able to make new connections between people who would not otherwise communicate and perhaps come up with ideas for more effective management."
Michlewicz will be studying the political and commercial exploitation of soccer fan violence in Europe, traveling to England, France, Spain, Poland, Croatia and Turkey. "I want to study the ways fan violence emerges in different European countries in order to understand how governments, politicians, clubs and business interests take advantage of and even encourage soccer hooliganism," he explained. "By working with journalists, team officials, fans, players, politicians and businessmen I hope to identify the biggest forces that allow soccer violence to thrive while developing some new ideas on how to make the game as safe as England has over the last decade."
Victoria Sehgal, a classics major, was elected a Truman Scholar for 2007. According to the foundation's Web site, the H. Truman Scholarship foundation was established "to find and recognize college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service." Truman Scholars receive $30,000 for graduate study and priority admission and supplemental financial aid at graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling and special internship opportunities within the federal government.
Sehgal plans to pursue studies related to public service. She is specifically interested in education policy/programs because as she wrote in her application, "Many of American society's ills including poverty, teen pregnancy, crime and poor nutrition can be attributed to mainly one cause: poor education." She added, "The Truman Scholarship competition is grueling, and since there are so many levels of cuts, it's important to have someone who is there to support you along the way. I really credit Denise Gagnon and my boyfriend Dino for never letting me become discouraged."
Neuroscience major Hua Chai was awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. According to the foundation's Web site, the Goldwater Scholarship was "designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering." Goldwater Scholars are nominated by their respective institutions on the basis of academic merit. The scholarship covers cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year for one or two years.
Chai said that the Scholarship has opened up new possibilities for her and has removed some of the stress of paying for school. After Amherst, Chai plans to enter a Ph.D. program to study neuroscience with a focus on the biochemistry and molecular biology of neurodegenerative diseases. Her interest in the field is due, in part, to her experiences at a conference during the summer before her senior year in high school. "I attended the 9th International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorder, where I had access to the plenary and post presentations of some of the field's leading experts," Chai wrote in her application. "Although most of the research was beyond my understanding, it was a crash course in neuroscience and an eye-opener to the breath and depth of this area of research."
When asked about her experiences applying for the Scholarship, Chai responded, "I would say the big thing is to try. I wasn't aware this scholarship existed until the school notified us." She continued, "If you are thinking about scholarships you should just talk to the Office [of Fellowships]. They are really willing to help you and work things out. Once I decided I wanted to apply they were always there and willing to answer my questions. And ask around, upperclassmen and teachers usually know about things like this."
Godwin agreed. "Denise Gagnon, Amherst's Fellowship Coordinator, was indispensable," he said. "She reviewed all my application forms and essays, and was on top of requirements and deadlines. It would have been a much scarier process without her."
Students interested in applying for an Amherst College Fellowship or a national competitive fellowship can do so through the Office of Fellowships, located in room 213 of Converse Hall. For other fellowship opportunities, students can visit the Career Center or the Career Center Web site at www.amherst.edu/~careers. The Office of Fellowships is hosting an information session on graduate scholarships for interested juniors this coming Monday in Lewis-Sebring Dining Commons. If you wish to attend, you should RSVP by April 9 on Experience or by seeing Carol Sharick in the Career Center.