UA Student Named National Goldwater Scholar

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama student Jason M. Spruell of Dothan recently was awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. Spruell is the only student from an Alabama institution to receive one of the 310 scholarships awarded for the 2004-05 academic year to undergraduate sophomores and juniors from across the United States.

Spruell is a junior chemistry major with a specialization in physical organic chemistry in UA’s College of Arts and Sciences and has received numerous awards, honors and scholarships during his tenure.

This year’s Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,113 mathematics, science and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year.

“I would describe Jason as highly motivated, very well organized and extremely competent,” said Dr. Martin Bakker, associate professor of chemistry. “It is very clear that he is enjoying studying chemistry and undertaking research in chemistry. He has demonstrated the ability to master challenging new material, think creatively and has the tenacity to overcome problems when they do not solve themselves quickly.”

Spruell has been working with Dr. Silas Blackstock, professor of chemistry, on intermolecular bonding research, which has yielded publishable results.

“He has been able to grow the first examples of sulfoxide/alkene cocrystals,” Blackstock said. “The result is publishable in a quality chemistry journal and a paper is in preparation on which Jason will be the lead student author. Jason is the driving force in the lab on this project.”

Spruell is planning to conduct research this summer at the University of Munster, Germany, under the direction of Dr. Armido Studer on a project involving radical organic synthesis.

After undergraduate, graduate and post doctoral work Spruell said he “wants to become a professor of chemistry at a large university that stresses both excellent teaching and cutting-edge research.”

Bakker added, “Jason is a superlative student who I believe has the potential to make an impact in science consistent with his being awarded a Goldwater Scholarship.”

Spruell has been awarded the Randall Research Award; Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award from the chemistry department; a McWane Undergraduate Research fellowship; Outstanding Freshmen and Sophomore Awards in the Computer Based Honors Program; received a College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Sophomore Award; has been named to the President’s List every semester; received the UA Presidential Scholarship; an Alumni Honors Housing Scholarship; the Jerome and Dolly Newmark Arts and Sciences Scholarship; the Sesquicentennial Alumni Honors Scholarship; and a Robert C. Byrd Scholarship – State of Alabama.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the University’s largest division and the largest public liberal arts college in the state, with approximately 5,500 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students. The College has received national recognition for academic excellence, and the College’s students have been selected for many of the nation’s top academic honors, including 13 Rhodes Scholarships, 15 Goldwater Scholarships, seven Truman Scholarships, and 16 memberships on USA Today’s Academic All-American teams.