A West Virginia University student has won a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the nations premier award for undergraduate college students pursuing careers in math, science or engineering.
Richard C. Soulsby is among 309 college sophomores and juniors from 50 states and Puerto Rico to be awarded the scholarship for the 2000-2001 academic year. He is a sophomore majoring in math and physics in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
“I feel very lucky to receive the Goldwater Scholarship because Ive already been given many opportunities to do scientific research at WVU ,”said Soulsby, WVUs 19th Goldwater Scholar and son of William R. and Kathrine D. Soulsby of Cannelton, W.Va., near Montgomery.
He credited two professors with encouraging him to pursue his interests.
“I learned of the scholarship while taking introductory honors chemistry courses from Dr. Jeff Petersen,”he added.”Dr. Petersen recommended I apply because he knew I was interested in science. When I started working with Dr. Earl Scime in physics, he recommended I apply as well.”
Congress established the Goldwater Scholarship in 1986 in honor of the late Sen. Barry Goldwater. The scholarship program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in math, the natural sciences and engineering.
This years Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,176 math, science and engineering students nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to $7,500 per year.
Soulsby, whose scholarship is for two years, plans to pursue a doctorate in plasma physics after completing his undergraduate degree. He and Scime, an associate professor of physics, are collaborating on research in this area, which studies substances at extremely hot temperatures.
“About 99 percent of all matter is in a plasma state,”he said.”Plasma physics is a fairly new branch of physics, and a lot of cutting-edge work is being done at WVU .”
After obtaining his doctorate, Soulsby plans to conduct research and teach courses in math and physics at an academic institution.
Soulsby is on the Student Advisory Council of WVUs Honors Program. He is also secretary of the Society of Physics Students and a member of Helvetia Sophomore Honorary Academy.
“Richard represents the best of the Honors Program,”said JoAnn Evans, administrative associate in the program.”He carries on a tradition that includes academic talent, dedication to quality education and service to the University and larger communities.”
WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. congratulated Soulsby on being the Universitys latest Goldwater Scholar.
“I welcome him to our growing legacy of success and look forward to watching his progress as a person and a scholar,”Hardesty said.”He joins Jackie Bass, who was just named a British Marshall Scholar, and Joshua Whitehair, recently selected as a Truman Scholar, in solidifying a strong scholastic reputation for West Virginia University.”
Soulsby, a 1998 graduate of East Bank High School, is one of two West Virginians to receive the award this year. The other winner is Andrea D. Marcum, a Marshall University student majoring in chemistry.