Student Awards
The Dorothy C. and J. Arthur Campbell Prize
This prize was donated by friends to honor Dorothy C. and J. Arthur Campbell. The Campbells' commitment to Harvey Mudd College began at the opening of the College in 1957. This prize acknowledges the great contributions of the Campbells and honors a senior chemistry for his/her achievement and promise.
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Nancy Eisenmenger |
When I discovered Mudd, I was very attracted to its remarkable style. I loved the idea of a small liberal arts college, but I have known, ever since I was a small child, that I wanted to be a scientist. Mudd fulfills all of my criteria because of its unique combination of sciences and humanities in a small school environment. Before I came to Mudd, I always dreamed of working in a lab and doing research. Mudd gave me a chance for that dream to become a reality. At Mudd, not only do I take lab courses for the Chemistry major, but as an undergraduate, I am also able to do research with professors. This research gives me an excellent opportunity to test out which branches of chemistry I like best.
In my experience, the chemistry professors at Mudd are inspiring and enthusiastic and they care about every single student. They are interested in not only my success in academic courses during the school year, but also in my opportunities to learn about chemistry during the summer. Due to advice and help from professors, I spent last summer conducting research in Mainz, Germany at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. My time at Mudd prepared me exceedingly well for this opportunity and I enjoyed the experience immensely.
Another wonderful thing that I appreciate about Mudd is the collaboration that occurs between students and also the academic support that is available for us. I do my part to participate in the system of academic support and collaboration by tutoring chemistry for the Academic Excellence program, which is a very rewarding experience. After I graduate from Mudd, I plan to study chemistry in graduate school and then I hope to have a career in research.
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Jonathan Litz '09 |
There was never a doubt in my mind that Harvey Mudd was the school for me. Providing me with a friendly, supportive student body, challenging academics, and the opportunity to explore ideas one-on-one with outstanding professors, HMC has helped me to mature both as a student and as a person.
When I first entered Mudd, I knew that I enjoyed chemistry but I had not yet discovered my real passion for it. As a result of many stimulating, thought-provoking courses, my appreciation for the subject has grown tremendously. The opportunity to work in Prof. Karukstis’ lab, where I study the non-covalent interactions of biologically analogous systems, has also given me insight into the life and work of a real-world research chemist. I love the challenge and rigor of analyzing hundreds of pieces of data for weeks at a time. Finding trends, proposing theories, and then performing further tests to see if my theories are correct is fascinating, intense, and fun. When the results prove a theory of mine is correct, the feeling of pure, unadulterated satisfaction is hard to beat.
Last year through a science and math education course, I was able to explore another interest of mine, teaching. Tutoring students at Pomona High School and even lecturing some of them on game theory was exciting and fun and reinforced my enthusiasm for the teaching profession. This year I enjoyed also being able to share my love for Mudd with the incoming freshmen as I helped plan and implement their orientation.
The only things more intellectually stimulating than the classes I have taken at HMC are my fellow students and professors, who provide me with great friendship and support. Looking back at my years as a Mudder so far, I can say with total honesty that Mudd has been a perfect fit.
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Ryan Pakula '09 |
The best part about Mudd for me has been all the opportunities to do research. I started doing research during second semester freshman year, and I’ve been doing it non-stop since. I love being able to explore so many areas of chemistry, both during the school year and over the summer. I’ve worked in a total of six labs, exploring the phase diagrams of liquid crystal/water systems, many inorganic systems, organic synthesis and methodology, and now I’m working with Professor Van Ryswyk, helping create the next generation of solar cells. Mudd has definitely far surpassed my expectations in terms of research.
The atmosphere at Mudd and how we work with the other colleges are great, too. I enjoy being pushed as hard as we are in our classes, but then also being able to go spend time with people who don’t study math and science at the other colleges. I ran CMS cross country and track freshman year and since sophomore year I’ve been playing for the 5C Men’s Ultimate team, the Braineaters. The compliment of my classes and my activities outside the classroom have made Mudd so stimulating. Tutoring through the AE program, working as a Senior Interviewer at the Admissions Office, helping out with Frosh Chem Lab, and playing for the Braineaters: there’s plenty to do outside of my classes, and for me this is just one more great thing about Mudd.
After graduation, I plan to go to grad school to do research in either organometallic chemistry or some energy related project, like dioxygen evolution from water or photovoltaics. I’m so excited about grad school, and Mudd’s prepared me really well for when that time comes.
The William G. Sly Prize
This Prize was donated by friends to honor Professor Bill "The Snowman" Sly. Throughout his thirty-four years of understanding and love of learning that were an inspiration to colleagues and students alike. This prize honors a junior chemistry who exemplifies the curiosity, intellectual integrity, and enthusiasm that Bill brought to his teaching and research.
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Chiara Giammanco '10 |
It is a great honor to be a co-recipient of the Sly prize. When I first came to Mudd I had my sights set on being a Physics major, but after falling in love with chem lab and realizing how fascinating I found frosh chem, I quickly changed my mind. I haven’t regretted that decision. In every class I’ve taken since I have found enthusiastic professors and interesting material and a tight-knit community of scholars. This being Mudd, I’ve also been able to take the Physics classes I wanted, along with Humanities classes in Latin and Music. I have also had the chance to do research as an undergraduate. Sophomore year I worked in the Vosburg lab on a green synthesis of divanillin resulting in a paper submitted for publication. During the summer before Junior year I worked in the Karukstis lab on creating a binary phase diagram of n-dodecyl-β-D-glucopyranoside in water which I have continued working on into my Junior year. Though I plan on going to graduate school, I haven’t yet made up my mind as to what particular area within the field I wish to study.
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Eric Nacsa '10 |
My journey to HMC was an improbable one. I started looking for the best place to study Mathematics, and although weeding through the post-secondary education system in the United States is a true nightmare, I found that Mudd was a startlingly good match for me. My brother now attends McGill University and is delighted to have a residence hall of 700 people to choose to hang out with at any point in time. I much prefer our tighter community based on stronger interpersonal bonds, which also garners a lot of empathy, since we're all in the same boat for the demands on us, more or less.
The turn to Chemistry away from Math was a slower one since I wasn't enrolled in 1st-year Chem, fall semester. But as Math turned out to be something other than what I thought it would be, lab really grew on me, and Professor Hill helped "turn me to the dark side," in his words. Even so, I maintain an interest in most other areas of Science and Math. I see my technical education as a degree in Science with an specialization in Chemistry. In the end, the liberal education in Arts AND in Science has been my favourite aspect of our philosophy.
As a Chemistry student, I've worked in the Baker lab since last summer, studying the thin film morphologies and related aspects of blends using poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers and PCBM (a buckyball derivative, I won't bother with its full name). Unfortunately I have a lot of trouble balancing the courses I want to take with the limited time we have. It's a shame that one often can't pursue the full major as well as higher-level courses in other areas. Well, at least without severely compromising non-academic life.
I currently intend to go to graduate school, but I'm having a terrible time figuring out exactly what to pursue. I can't see the justice in leaving out so many cool subjects as one focuses more and more on a single specialty over time! I hope my last few semesters here will help answer my questions.
Goldwater Scholarship
The award was created to honor the memory of Senator Barry M. Goldwater who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.
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Ethan S. Sokol '10 |
It was only by chance that I ever even heard of Harvey Mudd College. In high school, I was reading about the Putnam competition when the name Mudd came up as one of the top schools in the contest. Looking a little deeper, HMC seemed to be a perfect school for me because of their broad science based curriculum that reached across disciplinary lines. Also, their focus on undergraduate research really attracted me because I had no opportunities during high school to explore research science.
After visiting HMC as a high school junior, I was impressed by the tight-knit community and accessibility of the professors, but what really sold me on the school were the opportunities provided by the association with the other 4Cs. During my visit, I was pleasantly surprised by the vibrant Jewish community and the kosher community meals offered during Passover. Several Mudders ate lunch with me and told me about the great club opportunities including the Jewish Student union, Hillel, Chemistry Club, and JMP.
My first impressions about Harvey Mudd were just a small taste of what Mudd had to offer. My first three years here at HMC have been greater than I could imagine. The professors do an amazing job at incorporating interdisciplinary course material and are always glad to help you understand any aspect of the course material or even answer broader questions. The 5C clubs have many motivated students who form a great support network for planning and organizing events. This environment has really given me the opportunity to grow as a scientist and also as a person working with a team to reach my goals.
Copyright 2009 Harvey Mudd College