2 at UNL win Goldwater Scholarships

Two University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate students have been named winners of Goldwater Scholarships by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

Jeanine L. Frey, a junior biochemistry major from Hay Springs, and James D. McFarland, a sophomore electrical engineering major from Lincoln, were among 323 scholarship winners nationwide for the 2006-2007 academic year. The scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

Frey said her career goals are to earn a Ph.D. in biochemistry, conduct biomedical research focusing on gene expression as it relates to human disease, and teach at a research institution. Her scholarship will cover her senior year.

McFarland said his career goals are to earn a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and conduct research focused on solid state semiconductors at a major university. His scholarship will cover his junior and senior years.

The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,081 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. Jessica Peinado, a sophomore chemistry major at UNL, received honorable mention in this year's selection.

The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on Nov. 14, 1986. The scholarship program honoring Sen. Barry M. Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields.

In its 18-year history, the foundation has awarded 4,885 scholarships worth approximately $48 million.

CONTACT: Laura Damuth, Undergraduate Research/Fellowship Adviser, (402) 472-5024