Spring Break
Rising junior wins prestigious scholarship
By: Patrique Ludan
Issue date: 6/3/09 Section: News
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program has named junior mechanical engineering major Joel Turtle as a scholar for the upcoming school year.
Turtle is the 35th Aggie to receive the scholarship.
"I feel fortunate to be a recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater and am incredibly happy," Turtle said. "I am also invigorated and excited to continue my studies and research at Texas A&M."
Turtle filed his application for the scholarship last December and was informed in March that he had become a Goldwater Scholar.
"Every year we hold a preliminary application process and then submit the applications to the honors committee," said Kyle Mox, the National Scholarship Coordinator at Texas A&M. "The Honors Committee, made up of faculty members, then select up to four nominees."
Turtle is from Washington and considered schools such as Purdue, University of Illinois and University of Michigan before deciding on Texas A&M University.
"A&M has a really good mechanical engineering program," Turtle said. "The support and opportunities available at Texas A&M are extraordinary: scholarships provided by the Honors Program and the Dwight Look College of Engineering."
Turtle conducted research last semester with the assistance of Yassin Hassan in the nuclear engineering department.
"Opportunities to share new ideas, collaborate on significant projects and provide learning experiences for others continue to motivate my academic and career choices," Turtle said. "I have always wanted to pursue research as a career, but winning the Goldwater scholarship further solidifies my future doing research."
He studied the effects of nano-fluids on pool-boiling in boiling water nuclear reactors. Currently, Turtle conducts research with a professor at Washington State University on material sciences.
"The caliber of youngsters nominated is unquestionably terrific," said Goldwater Scholarship Program representative Col. Gerald Smith. "This scholarship has become a real stepping stone for fellowships in and after graduate school."
Among Turtle's employment contributions in receiving the scholarship are conducting research at Washington State University (WSU), computer programming at Schweitzer Engineering Labs and teaching math to middle school students.
"I expect that participation in the National Science Foundation - Research Experience for Undergraduates at WSU last summer with Dr. Walcott, and ongoing involvement in Dr. Hassan's Nuclear Engineering lab at A&M helped my Goldwater chances," Turtle said.
Requirements for applying for the scholarship include maintaining a B average and being in the upper fourth of the student's class.
However, producing good grades and doing research are not Turtle's only interests.
"I really love intramurals at A&M and I am involved with the Student Engineers' Council," Turtle said.
A large percentage of recipients of the scholarship go on to obtain higher degrees, although they are not required to do so by receiving the scholarship, Smith said.
There have been 70 Rhodes Scholars and 100 Marshall Scholars who were also a part of the Goldwater program.
The Goldwater scholarship makes a world of difference in pursuing higher education, said former recipients.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1986 to commemorate former U.S. Senator and 1964 Presidential Candidate Barry M. Goldwater.
Competition for the scholarship, which awards sophomores and juniors majoring in engineering, science and math fields, is exceedingly intense, Smith said.
Universities may nominate four undergraduates per academic year.
300 students out of a pool of 1000 are bestowed with the scholarship.
"The scholars are national assets," Smith said. "They're going to be real barn-burners wherever they go."
As a Goldwater scholarship recipient, Turtle said he shares his pride with the University.
"Recognition as a Goldwater recipient is testament to A&M's focus on helping students succeed," Turtle said.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
The US Congress created the scholarship in 1986 to honor Senator Goldwater for his 30 years of service in the US Senate. The purpose of this award is to encourage individuals in the pursuit of careers in engineering, science, and mathematics.
Turtle is the 35th Aggie to receive the scholarship.
"I feel fortunate to be a recipient of the Barry M. Goldwater and am incredibly happy," Turtle said. "I am also invigorated and excited to continue my studies and research at Texas A&M."
Turtle filed his application for the scholarship last December and was informed in March that he had become a Goldwater Scholar.
"Every year we hold a preliminary application process and then submit the applications to the honors committee," said Kyle Mox, the National Scholarship Coordinator at Texas A&M. "The Honors Committee, made up of faculty members, then select up to four nominees."
Turtle is from Washington and considered schools such as Purdue, University of Illinois and University of Michigan before deciding on Texas A&M University.
"A&M has a really good mechanical engineering program," Turtle said. "The support and opportunities available at Texas A&M are extraordinary: scholarships provided by the Honors Program and the Dwight Look College of Engineering."
Turtle conducted research last semester with the assistance of Yassin Hassan in the nuclear engineering department.
"Opportunities to share new ideas, collaborate on significant projects and provide learning experiences for others continue to motivate my academic and career choices," Turtle said. "I have always wanted to pursue research as a career, but winning the Goldwater scholarship further solidifies my future doing research."
He studied the effects of nano-fluids on pool-boiling in boiling water nuclear reactors. Currently, Turtle conducts research with a professor at Washington State University on material sciences.
"The caliber of youngsters nominated is unquestionably terrific," said Goldwater Scholarship Program representative Col. Gerald Smith. "This scholarship has become a real stepping stone for fellowships in and after graduate school."
Among Turtle's employment contributions in receiving the scholarship are conducting research at Washington State University (WSU), computer programming at Schweitzer Engineering Labs and teaching math to middle school students.
"I expect that participation in the National Science Foundation - Research Experience for Undergraduates at WSU last summer with Dr. Walcott, and ongoing involvement in Dr. Hassan's Nuclear Engineering lab at A&M helped my Goldwater chances," Turtle said.
Requirements for applying for the scholarship include maintaining a B average and being in the upper fourth of the student's class.
However, producing good grades and doing research are not Turtle's only interests.
"I really love intramurals at A&M and I am involved with the Student Engineers' Council," Turtle said.
A large percentage of recipients of the scholarship go on to obtain higher degrees, although they are not required to do so by receiving the scholarship, Smith said.
There have been 70 Rhodes Scholars and 100 Marshall Scholars who were also a part of the Goldwater program.
The Goldwater scholarship makes a world of difference in pursuing higher education, said former recipients.
The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 1986 to commemorate former U.S. Senator and 1964 Presidential Candidate Barry M. Goldwater.
Competition for the scholarship, which awards sophomores and juniors majoring in engineering, science and math fields, is exceedingly intense, Smith said.
Universities may nominate four undergraduates per academic year.
300 students out of a pool of 1000 are bestowed with the scholarship.
"The scholars are national assets," Smith said. "They're going to be real barn-burners wherever they go."
As a Goldwater scholarship recipient, Turtle said he shares his pride with the University.
"Recognition as a Goldwater recipient is testament to A&M's focus on helping students succeed," Turtle said.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
The US Congress created the scholarship in 1986 to honor Senator Goldwater for his 30 years of service in the US Senate. The purpose of this award is to encourage individuals in the pursuit of careers in engineering, science, and mathematics.
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