Harvey Mudd Churchill Scholarships

Shion Andrew ’21

Shion Andrew was awarded a Churchill Scholarship for 2021-22 to conduct astrophysical research at the University of Cambridge. Andrew will work at the intersection of observation and theory, attempting to answer fundamental questions about the evolution of the universe through mathematical modeling and computer science. She is interested in the versatility of the information extracted from large datasets and plans to explore this research interest further by collaborating with astrophysicists who explore the parameter space of these surveys.

Alicia Schep ’11

Alicia Schep was awarded a Churchill Scholarship for 2011-12 to study computational biology at the University of Cambridge. She was one of 14 Churchill Scholars from the U.S. this year – all but two of whom were from R1 schools. The only other Churchill winner from an undergraduate college in 2011-12 was Michael Gormally, a chemistry major at Pomona College.

Andrew Higginbotham ’09

Andrew Higginbotham received his bachelor of science in physics from Harvey Mudd College, where he was the 12th Churchill Scholar. From Chapel Hill, North Carolina, he will do research in the laboratory of Dr. Jacqui Cole at the intersection of chemistry and physics, relating non-linear physical properties to chemical structure through condensed matter physics to understand better the relation between optical properties and chemical structure in organic materials. He has done extensive original research in high intensity physics and laser-driven fusion at Harvey Mudd and at the University of Texas at Austin; he has two first-author papers under review and has received many awards. Andrew’s letters of recommendation speak of his research as “a remarkable achievement, which would be considered impressive for a senior graduate student and which is almost unheard of from an undergraduate,” and of him as “a potent combination of intelligence, diligence, creativity, and imagination.” Andrew has been active in student government. After his year at Cambridge, he plans to do his doctorate in physics in the United States.

Hallie Kuhn ’09

Hallie Kuhn received her bachelor of science in biology from Harvey Mudd College, where she is the 13th Churchill Scholar. From Glenwood Springs, Colo., she will do research on the human papilloma virus responsible for cervical cancer in the laboratory of Dr. Nick Coleman in oncology in the Department of Pathology. At Harvey Mudd, she won the Brandenburger Biology Prize for outstanding performance and promise, the Purves Biology Prize, and the Biology Writing Prize; she is a member of the Sigma Chi Research Society. Throughout college she has done research on the molecular motor dynein and spent a summer at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Chemistry at the University of Oregon. She has extensive training in mathematics, chemistry, systems engineering, and computer science in preparation for work in bioinformatics. Hallie has volunteered in a rape and sexual assault crisis center in Los Angeles and in a Red Cross asylum in Denmark, where she spent a semester abroad. She is an aerobics teacher and is active in yoga and dance. After her year at Cambridge Hallie plans to return to the States to study for an M.D.-Ph.D. in clinical oncology.

Rosalind Beckwith ’07

Rosalind Beckwith was awarded the Churchill Scholarship, which offers American students of exceptional ability and outstanding achievement the opportunity to pursue graduate studies in engineering, mathematics or the sciences at Churchill College at the University of Cambridge.

The Churchill Scholarship provides support for one year of study and research at the University of Cambridge and covers all university and college fees, a living allowance at Churchill College of £10,000-£12,000, a grant for travel to and from the United States of up to $1,000, and a new special research grant of up to $2,000. The scholarship is currently worth between $44,000 and $50,000, depending on the student’s program. After review at the local campuses, the applications for Churchill Scholarships are vetted and ranked by former Churchill Scholars, most of whom are academic scientists.

From Tempe, Ariz., Beckwith majored in engineering and has a special interest in fluid dynamics. She has done internships and research projects for Boeing, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and Honeywell Engines. President of Tau Beta Bi at HMC and a winner of a scholarship from the Department of Homeland Security, she plays French horn, was a member of the varsity swim team and has completed two triathlons.

Beckwith was recommended by Mary Cardenas, assistant professor of engineering and director of the Engineering Clinic Program. In her letter to the Churchill Foundation, she wrote:

“Harvey Mudd College is one of the few liberal arts colleges of engineering, and Rosalind Beckwith is our best example of what we wish to produce. She is not only one of the brightest students I’ve ever had, in terms of academic accomplishments and technical skills, but she is also the most well-rounded student I ever had. This can be seen in her deep interest in application of her work to human problems, as well as her appreciation of beauty in fluid dynamics.”

Carl Yerger ’05

Carl Yergerhas been awarded the Churchill Fellowship for study in the UK after graduation. Nationwide, only 11 students were selected for this prestigious scholarship, which is for one year of postgraduate study at Churchill College of Cambridge University. Carl will study for a Certificate in Advanced Study from the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics. Carl follows in the footsteps of other mathematical luminaries at Cambridge such as Isaac Newton and Professor Andrew Bernoff. In the past decade, Harvey Mudd has had seven Churchill winners.

Joel C. Miller ’00

Joel Miller has been awarded the Churchill fellowship for study in the UK, after graduation. Nationwide, only 10 students were selected for this prestigious scholarship, which is for one year of postgraduate study at Churchill College of Cambridge University. Joel will study for aCertificate in Advanced Studyfrom the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, the same department that Stephen Hawking is in.

In the past seven years, Harvey Mudd has 5 Churchill winners.

Miller was also awarded a Hertz Foundation fellowship as well as a NDSEG fellowship.

Previous Recipients

• Christopher Rodolfa ’05
• Nikolaus M. Loening ’97
• Nathaniel Brown ’98
• Jon M. Sorenson ’95
• Peter D. Bogdanoff ’94
• Michelle D. Mathys ’86
• Alan Middleton ’84
• David K. Matsumoto ’82
• Roger M. Oba ’82
• Mark L. McKinstry ’73