By James Day
A Silverton High graduate at Oregon State University has been selected for a prestigious national scholarship.
Roberto Ponce Velez, who will enter his senior year at OSU in the fall, was one of three OSU students to receive the Goldwater Scholarship, which is offered by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.
Also earning awards, which can be as high as $7,500, were OSU’s Jose Naranjo Mendez of San Jose, Puerto Rico, and Madalynn Gragg of Wamic in Wasco County in Eastern Oregon.
Ponce Velez, majoring in fisheries and wildlife sciences, is eyeing a doctorate in fisheries biology and planning to conduct research involving the redband trout, native to the Pacific Northwest.
A total of 438 Goldwater scholarships were awarded nationwide this cycle, out of 1,300 students who were nominated from 446 colleges and universities. OSU has had 48 Goldwater winners since the grant’s inception in 1986.
Sophomores and juniors studying natural science, engineering or mathematics are eligible for the scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is the top undergraduate award in the majors it covers, said LeAnn Adam, OSU’s Goldwater campus representative. Applicants must be planning a career in research.
Each recipient receives a maximum of $7,500 to use for any part of tuition, fees, books, and room and board for the 2024-25 school year not covered through support from other sources.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 in honor of Goldwater, a U.S. senator from Arizona for 30 years and the 1964 Republican nominee for president.
