December 12, 1997 Contact: Jean Moore, 615-322-2706 jean.moore@vanderbilt.edu

Vanderbilt students awarded Rhodes,

Marshall scholarships

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Two Vanderbilt University seniors have been awarded prestigious international scholarships for post-graduate study in England.

Nashvillian David C. Latimer, right, a physics and mathematics major in the College of Arts and Science, will continue his education at Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. Eric Chen, left, a mechanical engineering major from Portland, Ore., has been awarded a Marshall Scholarship which will allow him to study at any British University to which he is accepted. He hopes to attend Oxford University.

"These awards recognize the talent, character, effort and promise of two outstanding students," said Provost Thomas G. Burish. "Vanderbilt is proud of their accomplishments and delighted by their good fortune. These awards also reflect an investment in these students by the faculty, teachers and mentors, including Professor Paul Elledge, who has done an outstanding job helping Vanderbilt students compete for these awards."

Latimer is one of 32 American students selected from 990 applicants for the Rhodes Scholarships, which were established in 1904 by the estate of British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes to recognize achievement, integrity, leadership and athletic prowess. Latimer is Vanderbilt's 30th Rhodes Scholar and the first since the early 1980s. Previous recipients include Vanderbilt alumnus Robert Penn Warren, a three-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the first Poet Laureate of the United States, and Vanderbilt Chancellor Emeritus Harvie Branscomb.

"I'm still a little shocked that I'm going to Oxford next year," Latimer said. "The reality of this opportunity probably won't hit me until I'm packing my things two years from now to return home. Hopefully, I'll get in a few games of cricket and learn some math along the way."

The son of Andrea Chelyan Latimer of Nashville and Bobby Dale Latimer of Albany, Ga., Latimer was valedictorian of his graduating class at Nashville's McGavock High School, where he also competed in track and cross country and was captain of the cross-country team his senior year.

Upon his enrollment at Vanderbilt, Latimer was awarded a Dean's Select Scholarship. He subsequently was awarded the McMinn Honor Scholarship and the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, and he was named a GTE Academic All-American. For the past two years, Latimer has conducted biophysics research at Vanderbilt under the direction of Bradley J. Roth, the Robert T. Lagemann Assistant Professor of Living State Physics. Latimer's work in theoretical cardiac electrophysiology has been published in several conference journals. In addition to his academic pursuits, Latimer continues to participate in varsity cross-country competitions, lettering in his junior and senior years, and he enjoys spelunking.

"David Latimer is an outstanding example of the quality of our students in the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt," said Dean E. F. Infante. "The recognition of a Rhodes Scholarship is a wonderful one; even more exciting are the challenges and possibilities this scholarship presents to him. We are proud of David and most pleased with the manner in which he took advantage of what Vanderbilt offered to him. "

At Oxford, Latimer plans to continue his studies of mathematics before returning to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in physics. He tentatively plans a career in theoretical physics at a research university.

The Marshall Scholarships were established as Britain's national gesture of thanks to the people of the United States for the assistance received in the Marshall Plan. About 800 young people apply for the 40 new scholarships each year, which are awarded on the basis of academic distinction and leadership potential.

The son of Pah and May Chen of Portland, Ore., Chen is a graduate of Clackamas High School in Portland, Ore., where he was one of several co-valedictorians. He attends Vanderbilt on a Chancellor's Scholarship for Outstanding Minority Students, and he also received a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship.

"It's an honor to be at the receiving end of these generous scholarships," said Chen. "I'm very grateful for all of my experiences at Vanderbilt and am looking forward to being one of our ambassadors to Oxford."

"Eric Chen is a truly outstanding person," said E. J. White, associate dean of the School of Engineering. "It is gratifying to see him, and indirectly the School of Engineering and Vanderbilt University, recognized through the award of a Marshall Scholarship."

Chen has held summer internships with General Electric and General Motors. He currently is working with Vanderbilt Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Michael Goldfarb on regenerative braking for electric vehicles.

He is an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers and served as the group's president in 1997. He is a member of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, enjoys running and in-line skating and plays the violin.

At Oxford, Chen plans to continue his research on fuel cells for electric vehicles. He says he hopes to work for an automotive company to make sure new technology reaches consumers.

-VU-

Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately 5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute, a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range of graduate and professional degrees.

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