CSM Alumna Surprises New Marie Curie Scholarship Recipient
Sweetwater High School senior Mary Morris expected lunch on Friday, Jan. 22 to be pretty much like every other lunch period. Right up to the point where she was surprised by CSM alumna and former Marie Curie Scholar Selene Lopez with an $80,000 Marie Curie Scholarship to College of Saint Mary.
The scholarship is for academically-talented young women who want to study science or math. Morris plans on eventually getting her masters in chemistry and pursuing a career in chemical engineering.
Morris was already on track to join the CSM community – she had earlier in the year signed a letter of intent to play golf. Although she received a scholarship to play for the Flames, the prestigious Marie Curie Scholarship will provide Morris with up to $20,000 annually for four years.
Morris told her local newspaper, the Sweetwater Reporter, that she was very excited to use the scholarship to further her education.
The Marie Curie Scholarship is funded in part by the National Science Foundation. In addition to the monetary gift, Morris will also receive free tutoring, will be eligible for undergraduate research opportunities, may take part in National Institutes of Health and NASA research fellowships, and attend and present at national conferences.
Morris is the first 2016-17 recipient of the Marie Curie Scholarship. Five scholars are chosen each year through a competitive process. In addition to being named to the High School ACT/SAT Honor Roll in 2014 and 2015, and the National Honor Society, she was also active in robotics, band, theater and golf.
Morris participated in state robotic competitions in 2014 & 2015. She was part of the All-star Cast (University Interscholastic League, UIL) Theater, 2015; Band UIL Member, 2013-15; Marching Band UIL Member, 2012 and 2014; and served as Sweetwater High School Drum Major, 2015. She played on the Sweetwater Girls Golf Team, 2012-15 and was a Regional Qualifier for Girls Golf, 2015.
Morris is not only the first Texas student to receive this scholarship – she is the first non-Nebraska student to become a Marie Curie scholar. The other recipients will be announced in the coming months.
