Here are a few stories of Ohio State students who were the recipients of a national scholarship or fellowship.
Harrison Blake
Astronaut Scholar 2023
Harrison Blake, a rising senior, has been awarded the Astronaut Scholarship, which recognizes outstanding students in STEM pursuing research careers. Blake was awarded the scholarship for his initiative, creativity, and leadership in physics and astronomy. This year, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation awarded 68 scholarships to students at 46 universities.
Regina Loayza
Udall Scholar 2023
Regina Loayza, a junior majoring in Environmental Policy and Decision Making with a minor in Andean and Amazonian Studies, has been awarded the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship in the environment category. Udall recognizes outstanding students involved in leadership, service, and careers related to the environment, and awards $7,000 toward undergraduate expenses to 55 undergraduates nationally. Regina will attend the Udall Scholar 5-day conference in August in Tucson, Arizona.
Isaiah Boateng, Defne Ceyhan, Devi Dheekshita Nelakurti and Anya Phillips
Goldwater Scholars 2023
Four students from The Ohio State University have been recognized by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. Isaiah Boateng, Defne Ceyhan, Devi Dheekshita Nelakurti and Anya Phillips were all named 2023 Goldwater Scholars, the prestigious national award for undergraduate researchers in science, math and engineering. Goldwater Scholars receive an award to cover the cost of tuition and other undergraduate expenses up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. Goldwater Scholars receive the honor for their academic merit, strong commitment to a research career in STEM, and leadership in their chosen field.
Read more about Isaiah Boateng, Defne Ceyhan,Devi Dheekshita Nelakurti and Anya Phillips
Caroline Mallory
Gaither Junior Fellow 2023
Carline Mallory has been named a Gaither Junior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington D.C. A senior Honors student majoring in International Studies with a specialization in security and intelligence and minors in Chinese and Geographic Information Science, Caroline hopes to work in the Asia Program focused on Indo-Pacific Security.
Emily Johnson
Beinecke Scholar 2023
Emily Johnson has been named a 2023 Beinecke Scholar. A first-generation college student working toward a B.S. in Sociology with a minor in Philosophy and a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Emily is dedicated to breaking down barriers to educational attainment for low-income individuals. The Beinecke Scholarship Program awards approximately twenty scholarships annually to undergraduate students in their junior year who intend to pursue a terminal degree (PhD or MFA) in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Rakesh Murugesan
Astronaut Scholar 2022
Rakesh Murugesan, a rising senior and biomedical science major, has been awarded a 2022 Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) award. Astronaut Scholarships are awarded to students in their junior and senior year of college studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with the intent to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree. Astronaut Scholars are among the best and brightest minds in STEM who show initiative, creativity, and excellence in their chosen field.
Sonam Rustagi
Udall Scholar 2022
Sonam Rustagi is one of 55 students nationally recognized by the Udall Foundation for their work and commitment to the environment, tribal public policy or native healthcare, as well as leadership, public service, and academic achievement. Sonam Rustagi is an economics and environmental sciences major and plans to attend law school in the future.
Lia Gomez-Perez, Anthony Moussa,
Rakesh Murugesan and Makenzie Scott
Goldwater Scholars 2022
Four Ohio State honors students have been recognized by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program. Juniors Lia Gomez-Perez, Anthony Moussa, Rakesh Murugesan and Mackenzie Scott were all named 2022 Goldwater Scholars, the most prestigious national award for undergraduate researchers in science, math, and engineering. Goldwater Scholars receive an award to cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500.
Read more about Lia Gomez-Perez, Anthony Moussa, Rakesh Murugesan, & Makenzie Scott
Oseremhen "Ose" Arheghan
Truman Scholar 2021
Ohio State University student Oseremhen “Ose” Arheghan has been awarded a 2021 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Arheghan, a third-year political science and Chinese major, is one of 62 students selected for this prestigious honor from 845 candidates who were nominated by 328 colleges and universities – a record number of applicants. Scholars are recommended by 17 independent selection panels based on the finalists’ academic success and leadership accomplishments, as well as their potential as future public service leaders.
Henry Wu
Rhodes Scholar 2020
The Ohio State University senior Henry Wu has been named a 2020 Rhodes Scholar. The Rhodes Scholarship was founded in 1902 and supports graduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Thirty-two scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding seniors and recent graduates across the United States. The Rhodes Trust selected Henry for his commitment to fighting human trafficking and researching migration patterns and policies impacting the involuntary movement of peoples.
Laila Ujayli
Rhodes Scholar 2019
The Ohio State University alumna Laila Ujayli has been named a 2019 Rhodes Scholar. The Rhodes Scholarship was founded in 1902, and supports graduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Thirty-two scholarships are awarded annually to outstanding seniors and recent graduates across the United States. The Rhodes Trust selected Ujayli for her commitment to advocating for policies benefitting immigrants and refugees, her drive to encourage diplomatic rather than military interventions, and her ingenuity in using film and literature to increase mutual understanding between the Western and Arab worlds.
