Breslin Earns Goldwater Scholars Recognition

MACON, Ga. - Vanessa Breslin, a junior student-athlete at Mercer University, was recently named honorable mention for the prestigious Goldwater Scholars Awards.

The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of mathematics, science, and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide, virtually all intend to obtain a Ph.D. as their degree objective.

Goldwater Scholars have very impressive academic qualifications that have garnered the attention of prestigious post-graduate fellowship programs. Recent Goldwater Scholars have been awarded 77 Rhodes Scholarships (including 4 for 2011), 108 Marshall Awards, 98 Churchill Scholarships and numerous other distinguished fellowships.

To be named honorable mention is a considerable honor.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was authorized by the United States Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The creation of this program pays tribute to the leadership, courage, and vision of Senator Goldwater and establishes in his name an endowed recognition program to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics.

The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields.

Mercer head coach Grant Serafy said, “Vanessa is a shining example of the best of everything at Mercer – excellence on the field and off.  She works hard every day on the field and was a key contributor to our success last season.  She also excels in her studies and we are very proud to have Vanessa recognized for such a high honor.”