Zachary Metzler, ’20, awarded Goldwater Scholarship

Loyola student Zachary Metzler, ’20, was awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship for 2019. Metzler is a physics and mathematics major who came to Loyola from Timonium, Md.

The award is given to students who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.

“Applying for national fellowships like the Goldwater Scholarship is a valuable learning experience regardless of the outcome,” said Joe Ganem, Ph.D., professor of physics and faculty coordinator for the Goldwater Scholarship. “Students work with a faculty committee to craft a strong essay and application. They learn to refine and communicate their ideas to a professional audience—a skill that will be of great value in any future career.”

A member of the Honors Program and Loyola’s men’s swimming and diving team, Metzler feels that this scholarship will help him to continue to set high goals for himself and pursue advanced opportunities in the areas of physics and mathematics. He is thankful for the support of his research mentors and the research opportunities that he has pursued at Loyola, the Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. 

“Receiving the Goldwater Scholarship is more than a recognition of the hard work I’ve done so far. It comes with an expectation that I continue to perform well in research both here at Loyola and externally,” said Metzler.

The Goldwater scholarship program was authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, who served for 56 years as a soldier and statesman. The creation of this program fosters and encourages excellence in science and mathematics and provides a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to those fields of academic study and research. Up to 300 scholarships are awarded each year, and monetary awards can be used for tuition, fees, books, and room and board in the subsequent academic year.