IU students win COAS scholarships

As a whole, IU offers more than $400 million in scholarships every year, and about 64 percent of IU students receive some amount of financial aid from the University.

This spring, four students in the College of Arts and Sciences joined that percentage when they were awarded prestigious scholarships.

The Palmer-Brandon Prize in the Humanities is intended to support the continued academic, scholarly and creative pursuits of at least one current third-year junior, according to the COAS website. Those selected to receive this prestigious award are expected to be in the top 1 percent of undergraduates in their fields in terms of academic achievement and potential. The $20,000 award is the largest sum the College of Arts and Sciences gives away for high achievement.

IU students Addy Bryan and Kyle Fletcher received this award.

Addy Bryan
Bryan is a junior from Nebraska. She said she applied for the Palmer-Brandon Prize after being encouraged by both of her major advisers.

“Both of my advisers, anthropology and Near Eastern language and cultures, encouraged me to apply,” Bryan said. “At first I was unsure, but their support gave me the confidence to go ahead and apply.”

She is also pursuing a minor in linguistics and said she plans to attend graduate school and find work with an NGO in Cairo, where she studied last year.

Kyle Fletcher
Fletcher is a junior from Greenwood, Ind., and is studying both philosophy and economics. After graduating, he said he plans to attend law school and work toward a J.D. and a Ph.D., with hopes of becoming a law professor.

“One of my philosophy professors, professor Sandra Shapshay, suggested I apply for it,” Fletcher said. “She has been a sort of mentor to me over the last few semesters, mostly due to our similar academic interests.”

Established by Congress in 1986 to honor the former senator by the same name, the purpose of the Barry M. Goldwater award 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, according to the scholarship’s website. It allows for $7,500 per year.

IU students Kent Griffith and Kim Long are the recipients of this award.

Kent Griffith
Griffith is a sophomore from Mooreland, Ind., majoring in chemistry and geological sciences. He is also earning a certificate from the Liberal Arts and Management Program and researches with Dennis Peters, Herman T. Briscoe professor of chemistry.

One of the requirements for the Goldwater award is a synopsis of the student’s research.

“The group focuses on organic electroanalytical chemistry,” Griffith said. “My project involves the synthesis of a flow-through electrochemical reactor to house a catalytic polymer-coated electrode for the reduction of environmental toxins, such as halogenated species.”

Kim Long is studying abroad in France this year and could not be reached.