Your Dollars At Work

By Roberto Molar-Candanosa ’13

Aggies Daniel R. Miller ’13 and John T. Rogers ’15 were recognized by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program, one of the nation’s premiere awards for undergraduate academic excellence in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. Honoring former U.S. senator Barry Goldwater, the program encourages students to contribute groundbreaking discoveries to their fields through future studies and research.

Two-hundred and seventy-two undergraduates nationwide received the 2013 Goldwater Scholarship, which funds a maximum of $7,500 per year to each recipient. Miller, a double major in electrical engineering and applied mathematical science, is the 39th Aggie Goldwater Scholar since the program was founded in 1986. 

Honors Program Coordinator Jamaica A. Pouncy, who serves as a faculty representative for Goldwater, emphasized the impressiveness of Miller’s self-guided work. “There are very few undergraduates who have the capacity, discipline, and know-how to engage in these topics on their own,” Pouncy said. 

Rogers, a senior chemical engineering major, received an Honorable Mention. The Goldwater program added the mention recently as a way to recognize students who did not earn a scholarship but whose work demonstrated an outstanding academic level.

Rogers has a successful research career. He researched inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus at the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering. His scientific inquisitiveness dates back to high school, when he took part in a rigorous curriculum at the Texas Academy of Math and Science at The University of North Texas. He plans to pursue a combined master’s and doctorate program in biostatistics to conduct research in epidemiology.

With the help of generous and loyal donors, The Association of Former Students helps make opportunities such the Goldwater Scholarship possible for A&M students. 

“We really couldn’t do it without organizations like The Association,” said Pouncy. “Funds are needed for applications to the various national fellowship programs. Even for postage—we literally couldn’t mail the applications without The Association’s funds.” 

She also praised Miller and Rogers. “These are top tier students. They could have gone to any other school, but they came here. That says a lot about Texas A&M and the community that it creates.”

Financial support of student award applications is just one of the many ways Texas A&M is impacted by the generous donors to The Association's Annual Fund. Click to see more ways in which your gifts make an impact on Texas A&M students, faculty and staff.