Awards: Arnold and Mabel Beckman Award
HMC Activities: Tutor and grader for physical chemistry and Writing Center consultant
High School: Ooltewah High School, Ooltewah, Tenn.

The Beckman Scholars Program is a prestigious and competitive program of scholarships and research stipends for undergraduate students at U.S. colleges and universities. In 2004, Harvey Mudd College was selected to participate in a three-year round of awards for students in biology, chemistry, and interdisciplinary combinations of biology and chemistry. Students apply to a committee of faculty members at HMC, who then nominate one or two students as Beckman Scholars. The award includes funding for research supplies and travel.

According to Hickman:
Originally from Chattanooga, Tenn., I was excited about chemistry from the moment I arrived at HMC. I participated in sophomore spring research in Professor Adam Johnson's lab, where I synthesized an organometallic catalyst and studied its effect on enantiomeric excess. After receiving the Arnold and Mabel Beckman award, I began researching electron transfer in metalloporphyrin dimers and trimers in Professor Hal Van Ryswyk's lab.

In addition to my research, I was also a consultant at the HMC writing center and a tutor and grader for physical chemistry. You would often see me walking the halls as a tour guide as well. Although I stayed busy with coursework and extra activities, the opportunity to conduct cutting edge research was the highlight of my week.