Three third-year undergraduate students at Oregon State University have been recognized for their academic excellence and dedication to research as they were selected as 2024 Goldwater Scholars by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Jose Naranjo Mendez of San Jose, Puerto Rico, Madalyn Gragg of Wamic, Oregon, and Roberto Ponce Velez of Silverton, Oregon, are the deserving recipients of this prestigious scholarship. Oregon State University has a strong track record with 21 Goldwater Scholars in the past 11 years, with 16 of those coming in the last six years. OSU now boasts a total of 48 honorees since the program’s inception in 1986.
The Goldwater Scholarship is a highly competitive award for sophomores and juniors studying natural science, engineering, or mathematics who are planning a career in research. Each recipient receives up to $7,500 to support their academic pursuits for the 2024-25 school year.
Naranjo Mendez, a chemical engineering major, aims to revolutionize plastic recycling using sustainable sources to reduce carbon emissions. Gragg, a mechanical engineering and physics major, hopes to discover new physical properties in optoelectronic materials for environmentally friendly electronics. Ponce Velez, studying fisheries and wildlife sciences, plans to conduct research on the redband trout native to the Pacific Northwest.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established in honor of Senator Barry Goldwater, recognizing outstanding students in the fields of science, engineering, and mathematics. These three exceptional students from Oregon State University are shining examples of the next generation of researchers and innovators.