Conrad Smart

Junior Conrad Smart is one of only 252 students nationwide to receive a Goldwater Scholarship in 2016. The award provides up to $7,500 for tuition, fees, books, room and board and goes to undergraduate students who intend to pursue careers in mathematics, science or engineering.

As part of his award, Smart praised the mentoring relationship between faculty and undergraduate students, who can learn early in their university careers the precise ways to do meaningful scientific research and work in groups.

“There’s a lot of opportunity there,” he said. “It’s good to start early. The relationships with faculty are what propel me forward.”

Collegiate experience

• Areas of study:
  A physics and mathematics major in the College of Arts and Sciences; Smart is due to graduate in May 2017.

• Other recognition and honors:
  Brown Fellow, Grawemeyer Research Scholar

Hometown information

• Hometown:
  Versailles, Ky
• High school:
  2013 graduate of Woodford County High School
• Parents:
  Eric and Laurie Smart of Versailles, Ky.