Patrick Sheehan (2011) Named Barry M. Goldwater Scholar

Published
April 6, 2009

Bentsen receives Goldwater ScholarshipSophomore Patrick Sheehan, student of Professor Dan M. Watson, has won a prestigius Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. Endowed by the U.S. Congress to honor the late Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, the Scholarship is designed 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.

Sheehan also received a Phi Beta Kappa Iota Book Award earlier this year. He currently has a GPA of 4.00, ranking him in the top 99% of the Class of 2011. He has been doing research for Professor Watson since he was a freshman in fall 2007, and he's also a member of the Society of Physics Students.

Since 2002, 21 University students have been named Goldwater Scholars. The scholarship is worth up to $7,500. Sophomore winners receive funding for two years, while junior winners receive funding for their senior year. Each year, 10 to 20 sophomores and juniors compete for the four University nominations to the national Goldwater competition.

Applicants must rank in the top quartile of their class while demonstrating outstanding research skills and potential for advanced study in their fields as well as a strong commitment to pursuing research-oriented careers. The average grade point average of Goldwater Scholars is about 3.8 to 4.0 and most scholars go on to obtain doctorate degrees.

Previous winners of the prestigious award include the following students from the Department of Physics and Astronomy:

  • John Golden (class of 2010) - BS Physics, BA Mathematics
  • Samuel T. Harrold (class of 2009) - BS Physics, BS Mathematics
  • Kristin M. Beck (class of 2009) - BS Physics, BA Mathematics
  • Stephen Privitera - BS Physics, BA Mathematics
  • Robert F. Penna (class of 2007) - BS Physics, Honors BA Mathematics
  • Zhuohan Liang (class of 2005) - BS Physics, BS Mathematics, minor Philosophy
  • Sarah Zubairy (class of 2004) - BS Mathematics, minor economics/Physics
  • Jason Nordhaus (class of 2003) - BS Physics, BA Mathematics
  • David Etlinger (class of 2003) - BA Physics, BA Mathematics; minor, Music