Joshua Nelson, a junior in physics, was named a Goldwater Scholar, and Aaron Messerla, a junior in mathematics, achieving an honorable mention.
Established by the U.S. Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater from Arizona, the Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to approximately 300 college students across the country every year. Recipients receive up to $7,500 annually for college-related expenses. Since its inception in 1986, 73 Kansas State University students have won Goldwater Scholarships, more than any other public university.
Nelson and Messerla have active research projects and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, science or engineering — a scholarship requirement. Messerla is a 2012 graduate of Riley County High School in Riley and is the son of Dave and Dawn Messerla of Manhattan.
