Each year, students from universities across the country are selected to receive various prestigious scholarship awards. This year, The University of Alabama had eight students who were chosen for three of these awards.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hollings Scholarship was awarded to five UA students among 106 total awards nationally. The NOAA Hollings Scholarship provides recipients with $8,000 a year for full-time study during their junior and senior years, said Gary Sloan, coordinator of prestigious scholarships and awards. It also awards students with $6,500 for a 10-week internship at NOAA or an NOAA-approved facility for the summer between their junior and senior years.

“UA ranked fourth in the nation behind the University of Miami, the University of Oklahoma and the University of South Carolina for these awards,” Sloan said.

(See also “Scholarship stacking makes UA more successful at recruiting top students“)

Among those awarded were Joseph Green, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering; Nicole Kernahan, a sophomore majoring in marine science and biology; Thomas Ludwig, a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering; Zoe Nichols, a sophomore majoring in marine science and biology; and Leigh Terry, a sophomore majoring in business administration.

“I think this award’s greatest impact on my life is yet to come through my summer internship experience with NOAA,” Terry said. “But it has definitely already influenced my thinking as to how I can integrate NOAA’s mission of fostering environmental stewards into my career goals.”

Kernahan echoed Terry’s sentiment.

“This award has been one of the most fantastic things to happen me ever,” she said. “It will affect both my life as a student and in my career path.”

(See also “Engineering student chosen for prestigious fellowship“)

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to about 300 students each year who plan to focus their careers on research in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering. This scholarship, which provides winners with $7,500 in scholarship funds, was awarded to two UA students this year. These students are Brian Goodell, a junior majoring in chemical engineering, and Lynda Truong, a junior majoring in chemistry.

“The Goldwater Scholarship has reaffirmed my commitment to pursue a career based on scientific research,” Goodell said. “This is also a recognition that will help me to get into graduate programs when the time comes for me to apply.”

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship is an award given to juniors who are committed to public service leadership. Out of the 59 awarded this year, Jason Arterburn, a junior majoring in mathematics and interdisciplinary studies, was the only UA student to receive the award. Recipients of this award are given up to $30,000 for graduate study.

(See also “Engineering student named Truman scholar“)

Arterburn, who is currently studying in Harbin, China, said he was excited to have received the award.

“I am humbled to be invited into such a distinguished community,” he said. “It is absolutely a testament to my family, friends and mentors and the impact they have had on me.”