Santa Clara University

Since grade school, senior Casey Kute has had her eye on a career in robotics. Watching the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001 brought the realization that what she really wanted to focus on was developing robots that could work in hazardous environments. In her studies in mechanical engineering, she’s done just that—and, along the way, won a prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship last spring.

The Goldwater Scholarship was established by Congress in 1986 to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students intending to pursue careers in those fields. Kute was one of 317 winners from a field of 1,100 applicants. She is one of only 54 engineering students among the nationwide recipients.