FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 12, 2002 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE STUDENTS NOMINATED FOR NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP Four Drake University students have been nominated by the University for the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for Excellence in Science and Mathematics. The students are Gregory VerSteeg, a junior physics, math and computer science major from Rock Rapids, Iowa; Carrie Mittelstedter, a junior biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major from West Burlington, Iowa; Sarah Nehm, a junior pharmaceutical science major from Bowling Green, Ken.; and Christopher Field, a sophomore chemistry and computer science major from Sycamore, Ill. The scholarship was established by Congress to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics. Three hundred scholarships of up to $7,500 per year are awarded, and approximately 1,200 students from across the nation apply each year. "The award is one of the most competitive and prestigious science scholarships available,” says Mark Vitha, assistant professor of chemistry at Drake. “It is an honor simply to be nominated for the award." In order to be considered for nomination, students were required to write an original essay on a pressing scientific issue. They also were required to have a 3.75 grade-point average or higher. All four nominees have done research in their fields. The results of the national competition will be announced in April.