Susie P. Gonzalez

210-999-8406

susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu

Trinity Computer Science and Mathematics Major Wins Goldwater Scholarship

April 7, 2004 – Scott L. Schwartz, a Trinity University student majoring in computer science and mathematics, has received a prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for the 2004-05 academic year. Only seven scholarships went to students attending Texas schools, and Mr. Schwartz was the only computer science major among them.  Mr. Schwartz of San Antonio is completing his junior year at Trinity. He plans to seek a doctorate in computer science and conduct research in computer science and statistics using innovations related to the study of artificial intelligence. He is the 17th Trinity student in the last decade to be awarded a Goldwater Scholarship. Trustees of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Foundation awarded 310 scholarships in March to outstanding sophomores and juniors majoring in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering science. Only 12 recipients have majors related to computer science and many have dual majors. The scholarship is for a maximum of $7,500 to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, or room and board. In his application for the scholarship, Mr. Schwartz wrote that he intends to develop a broad foundation of technical and application skills in computer science and statistics to lead to new innovations in the area of artificial intelligence. “I want to approach a frontier of scientific explorations in a new and unique way with this powerful combination of skills to produce a positive contribution to science and society,” he wrote. Mr. Schwartz, who was home-schooled in high school and is the son of Ken and Cheryl Schwartz of San Antonio, also is a leader outside the classroom. He was a member of the men’s soccer team, which captured the NCAA Division III National Championship in November 2003.            “I am indeed very honored and very excited to have been selected as a Goldwater recipient. It is the biggest academic recognition I’ve have yet received for my efforts,” he said. In March, faculty members in the Trinity computer science department named him Outstanding Junior Researcher, and he also is a member of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the honor society for computer science. Gerald Pitts, the Caruth Distinguished Professor and chair of computer science at Trinity, says Mr. Schwartz proposed “an astounding research project” on statistical applications in distributed intelligent robotic systems. “Scott is truly an unparalleled young scholar with tremendous potential as a researcher,” Professor Pitts says.   The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established in 1986, in honor of former Arizona Sen. Barry M. Goldwater, and the Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields. Since its inception, the Goldwater Foundation has awarded more than 4,272 scholarships worth $42 million. The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,113 mathematics, science, and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide.

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Last updated on April 16, 2004 by the Office of Public Relations