AMES, Iowa – Several Iowa State University students and alumni received prestigious scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year. Among them were two Goldwater Scholars, three Fulbright scholars and three National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program scholars. 

“Earning recognition from programs like these reflects not only the academic excellence of our students and graduates, but also their commitment to making a meaningful impact in the world. These awards are highly competitive at the national and international level, and we are incredibly proud to see our students’ work recognized in this way,” said Kelli Fitzpatrick, coordinator of nationally competitive awards at Iowa State. 

Mason Eisenhauer, a student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Casen Legreid, a student in the College of Engineering, were among 454 recipients selected for the Goldwater Scholarship, which honors outstanding undergraduates interested in research careers in the sciences, engineering and mathematics. 

Emma Alstott, a 2026 graduate from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Krishangee Bez and David Harper, 2026 graduates from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, were awarded the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The program supports outstanding students pursuing full-time, research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering or math education.

Two Iowa State students and one ISU graduate will travel abroad to teach English during the 2026-27 academic year after being chosen for the Fulbright scholarship program. Lilah Hegarty, a 2026 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate, and Lena Menefee-Cook, an Iowa State alumna, were selected for the  Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Annika Trost, a 2026 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate received the Fulbright English Teaching Flagship Award.

Meet the Goldwater Scholars
 

More about the Goldwater Program

Recipients of the Goldwater scholarship were chosen from an estimated pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and junior across the U.S. Awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, established in 1986, scholars receive up to $7,500 toward qualifying academic expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board and books.

A selection committee at Iowa State reviews the applications and determines which nominees to proceed to the national level. This year's committee members were Stephen Gilbert, faculty director of the University Honors Program; Frank Peters, associate professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering; Eric Underbakke, associate professor of biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology; and Miko Wilford, associate professor of psychology.

More about the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program provides three years of support, including an annual stipend of $37,000, over a five-year fellowship period for the graduate education of individuals who have demonstrated their potential for research achievements in STEM or STEM education.

The Center for Communication Excellence at ISU advises graduate students applying to the program, and the office of Nationally Competitive Awards advises undergraduate applicants.

More about the Fulbright Program

Hegarty and Menefee-Cook were chosen for the English Teaching Assistant Program through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and Trost was selected for the English Teaching Flagship Program. The applicants were chosen through an open, merit-based competition that considers leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement and record of service. 

The English Teaching Assistant Program places Fulbrighters in classrooms abroad to provide assistance to the local English teachers in more than 140 countries worldwide. The age and academic level of the students vary by country, ranging from kindergarten to university level. The English Teaching Flagship Award is given to those who are willing and are qualified to be English teachers in Taiwan.