Penn State senior Ramya Gurunathan has been selected to receive a prestigious Churchill Scholarship, a highly sought-after program that allows American college students to pursue graduate studies in engineering, mathematics or the sciences at the University of Cambridge. Gurunathan is only the second Penn State student to win the Churchill Scholarship since its inception in 1963.
“Ramya is a truly outstanding student, who has taken full advantage of every opportunity available to her at Penn State. We’re proud that she is being honored with a prestigious award that will allow her to live, learn and grow at Cambridge University," said Penn State President Eric Barron. "I know she will go on to do great things in this world.”
The senior from Yardley, Pennsylvania, will graduate in May with a degree in materials science and engineering and nanotechnology from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. She also is a member of Penn State’s top-ranked Schreyer Honors College.
“I was really stunned and, needless to say, excited," Gurunathan said. "Applications to the Churchill Scholarship are reviewed by previous recipients who are now premier scientists. It is gratifying to have received this sort of endorsement of my undergraduate work from leaders in STEM.”
The Churchill Foundation’s scholarship program offers U.S. students of exceptional ability and proven talent in research the opportunity to pursue a full-year master’s program.
"The Churchill Scholarship is one of the most prestigious fellowships in the world, with only 15 awarded each year," said Tanya Furman, interim director of the University Fellowships Office at Penn State.