Three Hope College juniors—Timothy Lewis, Danielle Mila and Caitlin Ploch—have received Honorable Mention recognition from the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

The foundation awarded 271 scholarships for the 2012-13 academic year to undergraduate sophomores and juniors from throughout the United States.  Another 200, like Lewis, Mila and Ploch, received Honorable Mention recognition.

The scholarship recipients and Honorable Mention designees were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,107 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of their colleges and universities.

Lewis, who is from South Haven, is majoring in computer science and mathematics, and has been conducting collaborative research while at Hope with Dr. Charles Cusack, who is an assistant professor of computer science.  He is a 2010 graduate of South Haven High School, and the son of Bryan and Carol Lewis of South Haven.

Mila, who is from Livonia, is majoring in biology and mathematics, and has been conducting collaborative research while at Hope with Dr. Aaron Putzke, who is an assistant professor of biology and Towsley Research Scholar..  She is a 2010 graduate of Winston Churchill High School, and the daughter of Jose and Catherine Mila of Livonia.

Ploch, who is from Redford, is majoring in mechanical engineering and physics, and has been conducting collaborative research while at Hope with Dr. Stephen Remillard, who is an associate professor of physics and chairperson of the department.  She is a 2010 graduate of Marian High School, and the daughter of Joseph and Sharon Ploch of Redford.

The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry M. Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering.  Since its first award in 1989, the Foundation has bestowed more than 6,550 scholarships worth approximately $40 million.  The Trustees plan to award about 300 scholarships for the 2014-15 academic year.