Elizabethtown College Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major Samantha Small ’26 was recently named a 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholar by The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation and the United States Department of Defense National Defense Education Program. Small is Etown’s seventh Goldwater Scholar, with a Blue Jay last receiving the prestigious distinction in 2023.
“I am extremely honored to have been selected for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship this year,” Small said. “The process of applying allowed me to stop and reflect on my research experience and campus involvement, evaluate if my current trajectory aligns with my intended career, and carve a path for my future after graduation. I am fortunate to receive funding for my senior year at Etown, allowing me to focus more time and energy on my passion for research.”
Considered to be the country’s preeminent undergraduate scholarship award in natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering, the Goldwater Scholarship was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue research careers in these fields.
From an applicant pool of more than 1,350 nominees from 445 institutions nationwide, Small was among only 441 scholarship recipients.
During her time at Etown, Small has been involved in a variety of different clubs and organizations, currently serving as the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society historian, the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (ACS) secretary, and a Kinesis Peer Mentor in the Momentum program. Next year, she will be the president of the Student Affiliates of ACS and co-lead for the Momentum program.
During her first year in the Momentum program, Small was mentored by Tristan Mabee ’24, who was named a Goldwater Scholar in 2023. His selection and encouragement pushed Small to apply.
“When Tristan was named a Goldwater Scholar in 2023, the prospect of being selected for this prestigious scholarship felt more achievable,” Small said. “Through my application, he provided valuable feedback and advice for the research essay.”
Small has presented her research at multiple national conferences, including the 2024 Binghamton University Conference in Undergraduate and Graduate Chemistry Research, the Dynamics Days US 2025 Conference, the 2025 Northeast Regional Honors Council Conference, and the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research. She was also selected to attend the 2025 ACS Leadership Institute.
Small was also completed research as part of the Summer Creative Arts and Research Program (SCARP) in 2024 with Elizabethtown College Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry Desmond Yengi.
“Dr. Yengi is the primary reason I have attended so many research conferences to build a stronger application,” Small said. “He is always looking for opportunities to help me establish myself in the scientific community. I am very thankful for his help in organizing my application and writing the research essay.”
About the Goldwater Scholars Program
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater. The program is in partnership with the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs (NDEP) to help support scientific talent essential to maintaining the Nation’s competitive advantage.
Goldwater Scholars have gone on to win an impressive array of prestigious post-graduate fellowships, have published their research in leading professional journals, and have presented their work at professional society conferences.
