April 9, 2010
AMHERST, Mass.—Amherst College junior John Ware, a physics major from West Hartford, Conn., is one of just 278 sophomores and juniors from across the United States to receive Barry M. Goldwater scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year. The prestigious award will cover the cost of Ware’s tuition, fees, books and room and board for up to a maximum of $7,500 next year.
 |
Ware plans to earn a doctorate in physics one day and conduct theoretical or experimental research in fundamental physics. He also hopes to teach at a university where, as he said, “I can pursue my own studies, collaborate with colleagues and have meaningful interactions with students. I believe that one of the most important tasks of a scientist is to convey to others, especially young people, the sense of beauty and wonder involved in seeking a deeper understanding of the natural world.”
At Amherst, Ware has worked in the laboratory of physics professor David Hall helping to build lasers for research Hall conducts on Bose-Einstein condensates; he is currently investigating the single-molecule magnet MN12-acetate under the guidance of physics professor Jonathan Friedman. Ware has also collaborated with another physics faculty member, Professor Arthur Zajonc, and traveled with him to Cortona, Italy, to attend the International Conference on Science and Spirituality. He has participated in the college’s student government group—the Association of Amherst Students—as a senator, joined and leads the Outing Club and played Ultimate Frisbee with the college’s club team. In addition, he has received several honors at Amherst, including a Schupf Scholarship, the Walker Prize in Mathematics (twice), the Bassett Price for Physics and the CRC Press chemistry award for first-year students.
This year’s Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,111 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. Of the 278 who received awards, 156 are men, 122 are women and virtually all intend to obtain a Ph.D. as their degree objective. Seventeen Scholars are mathematics majors, 199 are science and related majors, 53 are majoring in engineering and 9 are computer science majors.
The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The program, which honors Senator Barry M. Goldwater, was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. In its 24-year history, the foundation has awarded 6,079 scholarships worth approximately $58 million. Its trustees plan to award about 300 scholarships for the 2011–2012 academic year.
Founded in 1821, Amherst is a highly selective, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 1,600 students from most of the 50 states and more than 30 other countries. Considered one of the nation’s best educational institutions, Amherst awards the B.A. degree in 34 fields of study.
###