Three Hope College graduating seniors have received recognition through the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship program of the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Anne Georges of Ramsey, Minn., and Colin Rathbun of Ada have each received fellowships through the program.  Patrick Lutz of Canton has received honorable mention.

It is the fifth year in a row that multiple graduating seniors or recent alumni have received fellowships or honorable mention in the program.  The NSF awarded 2,000 of the fellowships nationwide this year, and recognized another 1,835 students with honorable mention.

The awards are for students in the early stage of pursuing a research-based master’s or doctoral degree in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.  The fellowships are for up to three years, and pay a $30,000 annual stipend and a $10,500-$12,000 cost-of-education allowance.

Georges is majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology, and minoring in mathematics.  She has been conducting collaborative research with Dr. Leah Chase, associate professor of biology and chemistry.  In 2011 she received a highly competitive scholarship from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, one of only 275 awarded nationwide.

She has been accepted at several graduate schools and will enter a Ph.D. program in biochemistry this fall.  Ultimately she would like to stay in the academic world, both researching and teaching.  She is the daughter of Robert and Ruth Georges of Ramsey, Minnesota and a 2008 graduate of Minnehaha Academy.

Rathbun is majoring in chemistry and minoring in mathematics.  He has been conducting collaborative research at Hope with Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, who is an assistant professor of chemistry and Towsley Research Scholar, and in the summer of 2011 conducted chemistry research in Buenos Aires, Argentina, supported by an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant.  Also in 2011 he received a highly competitive scholarship from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, one of only 275 awarded nationwide.

He has been accepted to a variety of graduate schools and will begin to pursue a doctorate in organometallic chemistry this fall, and following his graduate work intends to conduct research while teaching at the university level.  He is the son of Timothy and Roxanne Rathbun of Ada, and a 2008 graduate of Northpointe Christian High School.

Lutz is majoring in chemistry.  He has been conducting collaborative research with Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, who is an assistant professor of chemistry and Towsley Research Scholar at Hope.  In 2010, he held the college’s Dean’s Science Division Research Award in chemistry in support of his participation in summer research.

In the fall he will begin graduate studies at Princeton University, pursuing a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, and he is considering a career teaching and conducting research.  He is the son of John and Michelle Lutz of Canton, and a 2008 graduate of Plymouth Christian Academy.