Chippewa Valley Times

Three students from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have been awarded the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year. The recipients—Thomas Benning, Rachel Horejsi, and Jada Wahl—are among only seven students within the Wisconsin system to be honored this year. The Goldwater Scholarship, valued at $7,500, aims to support promising undergraduates in science, engineering, and mathematics with an interest in research careers.

In an official statement, Chancellor James Schmidt expressed pride in the students' achievements, stating, “We are so proud of these three students, who exemplify excellence in research, which UW-Eau Claire is known for across the Midwest and across the country.” He also emphasized the distinctiveness of UW-Eau Claire's accomplishment, noting, “The fact that we have three Goldwater Scholars in the same academic year puts UW-Eau Claire in a class by itself.”

The university has a history of excellence with 14 recipients since 1990, and this year marks the highest number of scholars awarded in a single year for a regional comprehensive public university within six states in the area. Interim Provost Dr. Michael Carney highlighted the importance of the Goldwater Scholarship by calling it “the preeminent national award for science, engineering and mathematics undergraduates,” adding that the recognition could significantly impact the students' future academic and research pursuits.

Dr. Erica Benson, executive director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, remarked on the strength of the research opportunities at UW-Eau Claire. She said, “The recognition of three UW-Eau Claire students is a testament to the high quality, enriching research experiences that faculty offer students, and the exceptional caliber of the students engaging in student research.” She pointed out that the awardees frequently present their research at various conferences and co-author journal articles alongside faculty mentors.

The Goldwater Scholarship, established to honor Sen. Barry Goldwater, is designed to support undergraduates aiming for research careers in science, engineering, and mathematics. This year, more than 1,350 students were nominated by 445 institutions, with the final selection consisting of individuals who plan to continue in diverse fields such as math, computer science, sciences, medicine, engineering, and materials science.