Physics Major Brendan Heffernan Nominated for Goldwater Scholarship

Kansas State University has nominated Brendan Heffernan, Physics major from Olathe, as one of its four nominees for the 2014 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

Established by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry M. Goldwater from Arizona, the scholarship is awarded to nearly 300 college students across the country every year. Awardees receive up to $7,500 annually for college-related expenses. With 69 Goldwater scholars to date, Kansas State University ranks first among the nation's 500 state-supported universities.

Brendan has an active research project and intends to pursue a career in science — one requirement of the scholarship.

Heffernan, a junior in physics, is working with Christopher Sorensen, Cortelyou-Rust university distinguished professor. They are creating and calibrating an apparatus to measure the backscatter of light from soot, which should have an impact on climate modeling.

Heffernan is a member of the Society of Physics Students and the university's Climbing Club. He has received a Putnam Scholarship and a College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Scholarship. Because of the generosity of our friends and alumni, the Department of Physics has been able to extend Brendan’s research experiences by matching the college’s funding.

A graduate of Olathe South High School, he is the son of Michael and Karen Heffernan, Olathe.

Courtesy of Communications & Marketing