Andre Schaum ’20 has been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. Schaum, an ACS chemistry and biology major from Osage, Minn., is one of only 496 students from across the country to receive the award. He was selected from an initial pool of more than 5,000 students from 443 academic institutions. The scholarship is awarded to undergraduate sophomores or juniors who are intending to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.
“It is extremely humbling and rewarding to be selected as a 2019 Goldwater Scholar out of the large group of applicants across the nation,” Schaum says. “However, I could not have completed the four-month application process if it was not for the tremendous support and patience of my fellow applicants, friends and faculty mentors.”
Among those who Schaum says helped him through the process were Concordia’s Goldwater representative Dr. Althea ArchMiller, assistant professor of biology, and 2018 Goldwater Honorable mention Alexandra Ward ’19. Both provided assistance and advice.
“I would also like to thank my recommendation letter writers – Dr. Donald Krogstad, professor of chemistry, and Dr. Graeme Wyllie, assistant professor of chemistry, both of Concordia College, and Dr. Stanley May of the University of South Dakota,” Schaum says. “I am excited to join the community of past and future Goldwater Scholars and to see how this award will influence and propel my life beyond Concordia.”
And faculty members who have worked with Schaum know his abilities will take him far.
"Andre Schaum has a natural love for nature and curiosity about science,” Krogstad says. “He does things the right way and for the right reasons. Andre has the drive, ambition, intelligence, and creativity to make a real impact as a researcher and world leader."
Schaum has already been immersing himself in research. He spent last summer at the University of South Dakota where he studied the luminescence of nanoparticles on patterned metal surfaces as part of a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates.
This summer, Schaum is headed to Prague for an International Research Experience for Students program. He will be studying the recycling of industrial coolants in the European Union.