2 students named Goldwater scholars

Two IU students took their places among the top science undergraduates in the country when they were named as recipients of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship March 26. \nJuniors Keith Turpin and Stephen Helms will both receive $7,500 for up to two years to apply toward their college expenses. The award, created to honor the memory of the late Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, is open to undergraduates majoring in the sciences, mathematics, engineering and related fields. Of the 1,113 national applicants, 310 were selected. \nJocelyn Bowie, director of communications and recruiting for the College of Arts and Sciences, said IU nominated four of the 13 applicants on the local level for the national award. \nBowie said the applicants were judged on the merits of their academics, lab work, research goals and an essay each wrote about their research. \nTurpin, a physics major, was both surprised and elated when he found out he won. \n"I was pretty shocked because I really didn't think I had much of a chance compared to the top science majors across the country," he said.\nTurpin thought he won largely because of his essay about research on the way ultrasonic waves travel. He plans to attend graduate school after he graduates and hopes to study experimental high-energy particle physics. \nHelms, a biology and biochemistry major, said he was very pleased when he learned he won the award. \n"I called my parents and sent e-mails to all my recommenders," he said.\nHelms said he thinks he won because he is focused on the future.\n"I am really prepared for grad school. I do research and teach for the biology department," he said. "I have focus and know where I am going with my life."\nHelms said he plans to attend graduate school for biochemistry when he graduates and hopes to study proteins to figure out how they work. \nBowie said the Goldwater Scholarship is a very impressive award.\n"Since it's for students who are still undergrads, this is one of the most prestigious undergraduate science awards in the country," she said. \nBowie said almost all past recipients have gone on to receive a Ph.D. Recent Goldwater Scholarship winners have later received Rhodes Scholarships, Marshall Awards and other distinguished fellowships.\nIn the past two years, she said IU has only had a single Goldwater recipient and is pleased to see more students win the award this year. \nSince its 1986 inception, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation has awarded 4,272 scholarships worth approximately $42 million. The goal of the foundation is to help promote scientific and technological development. \n-- Contact staff writer Michael Zennie at mzennie@indiana.edu.