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Sophomore Awarded Goldwater Scholarship

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation announced on Monday, March 30, that Catherine R. DeBlase, a Marist College sophomore from Hopewell Junction majoring in Chemistry, is one of 278 sophomores and juniors selected as Barry Goldwater Scholars for 2009. The Goldwater Scholarship is the nation's premier undergraduate award of its type in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

Cathy DeBlase, a 2007 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, has conducted laboratory research since summer 2008 at Marist under the mentorship of Dr. Jocelyn Nadeau, Assistant Professor of Chemistry. Cathy presented her research findings at the national conference of the American Chemical Society late that summer, and eventually plans to obtain a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. "Cathy DeBlase exemplifies all that we are looking for in future scientists," acknowleged Dr. MikeTannenbaum, Dean of Marist's School of Science and the College's Goldwater Faculty Representative. "In addition to her obvious academic prowess and a tenacious dedication to excellence in all she does, she is inquisitive, outgoing, and demonstrates outstanding leadership ability. I foresee nothing but success in Cathy's remaining years at Marist and beyond."

Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,097 mathematics, science, and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. DeBlase will receive a two year scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. She is the third Marist undergraduate to be recognized as a Goldwater Scholar in the past four years. The College's 2008 valedictorian, Katherine Amodeo of Marlboro, NY, earned a Goldwater Scholarship in 2006, and Andrew DeBlase, a senior Chemistry major and Catherine's older brother, was recognized in 2008. A fourth resident of the mid-Hudson Valley, Deborah Diehl ('07) of Poughkeepsie, earned Honorable Mention in the 2006 Goldwater competition.

"Marist's recent success in this national competition is a testament to the intellectual ability and strong motivation for careers as research scientists that these young women and men bring to the College," says Tannenbaum. "Their success also validates the high quality of all of our School of Science programs, as well as the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff. I would especially like to thank Dr. Nadeau and Pat Taylor, Marist's Graduate School and Fellowship Advisor, for their outstanding work in mentoring Cathy through the nomination and application process."

The Scholarship Program was established in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, and is designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. In its 21 year history, the Foundation has awarded 5,801 scholarships worth approximately fifty-six million dollars. Goldwater Scholars have very impressive academic qualifications that have garnered the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs. Recent Goldwater Scholars have been awarded 73 Rhodes Scholarships, 102 Marshall Awards (7 of the 40 awarded in the United States in 2009), and numerous other distinguished fellowships.