FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 24, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE STUDENT RECEIVES GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP Christopher Fennell, a junior at Drake University, has received a Goldwater Scholarship Award for the 2000-01 academic year. He is one of 309 outstanding students selected by the Goldwater Foundation on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,176 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. His one-year scholarship will provide up to $7,500 for tuition, books and fees. Fennell, a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, plans to graduate from Drake in May 2001 with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He intends to attend graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in theoretical/computational chemistry. Fennell, a 1997 graduate of St. Albert High School, is the son of Rosalie and Edward Fennell of Council Bluffs. He said his ultimate career goal is to "further our understanding of chemical processes, leading to improvements in both instrumental and chemical synthesis." "Chris is a very thoughtful student...he has given a lot of thought to his future research. Academically, he is one of the strongest students I’ve seen come through the department in the 12 years I’ve been here,” said Colin Cairns, associate professor and chair of the chemistry department at Drake. The scholarship, created in honor of Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, is designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue their careers in mathematics, sciences and engineering. It is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields.