Local WKU Students from Greenville and Elizabethtown Awarded Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Western Kentucky University (WKU) students, Mykah Carden and Gabriel Nowaskie, have received the 2024 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. This scholarship, created by the U.S. Congress in 1986, supports university sophomores and juniors who excel in STEM research. Carden and Nowaskie are two of five students from Kentucky to receive this scholarship this year. The scholarship provides $7,500 annually for undergraduate studies.

Mykah Carden, from Greenville, is due to graduate from the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in May 2024. She plans to study geological sciences at WKU's Department of Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences and the Mahurin Honors College. Carden's research, supervised by Dr. Patricia Kambesis, is on geological and hydrogeological controls. She has presented her research at national conventions and interned with the Cave Research Foundation.

Gabriel Nowaskie, from Elizabethtown, is studying physics with a minor in mathematics at WKU's Ogden College of Science & Engineering and Mahurin Honors College. A 2023 Gatton Academy graduate, Nowaskie plans to pursue a Ph.D in theoretical mechanics and quantum physics. He has published two research papers in the International Journal of Theoretical Physics and presented his research at conferences. His research mentor, Tony Simpao, commended his enthusiasm and motivation.

Both Carden and Nowaskie received support from the Office of Scholar Development at WKU for their scholarship applications. They were nominated by a committee of WKU faculty members. Dr. Sam Earls, the Assistant Director of Academic Services at the Gatton Academy, also supported Carden, while Cory Dodds assisted both students.

Lindsey Houchin, Assistant Director of the Office of Scholar Development (OSD), praised the WKU faculty for their support of early research opportunities. She also noted the recent addition of a STEM scholarships and external research opportunities specialist to the OSD team. Houchin stated that Carden and Nowaskie's success in the Goldwater Scholarship competition reflects the high-quality academic experience at WKU.

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