Junior Frances McConnell ‘26 is a recipient of the 2025 Barry Goldwater Scholarship. McConnell is the ninth student from Macalester to receive the prestigious award since the scholarship’s inception in 1988.
Award recipients are college sophomores or juniors who plan to participate in STEM-based research and show outstanding potential for contributions to their fields. The scholarship supports students until their graduation and provides a maximum of $7,500 per year. Funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, room and board, and books.
McConnell majors in computer science and mathematics, with a minor in history. This year she has collaborated on research with Professor Lori Ziegelmeier, an opportunity that inspired her to apply for the scholarship.
“That’s my first serious research experience with an actual faculty advisor,” said McConnell “I’ve just really, really enjoyed that, and it’s given me more direction about where I want to go and what I want to pursue. It solidified my decision to pursue higher education.”
Dr. Ziegelmeier’s team studies the “science of science.” The researchers use topological data analysis to map the evolution of research over time. By building networks of scientific concepts, the team can identify gaps in existing knowledge. McConnell’s work has focused on the applied mathematics network.
“The goal is to use this computational tool to understand not only how science is changing, but also where there might be room for meaningful contributions or where grants might need to go,” she said.
McConnell attributes her success to the small class sizes Macalester offers. She said that the tight-knit nature of the MSCS department allowed her to build close relationships with faculty and fellow students. These provided her with the opportunity to pursue research.
“I feel really comfortable in the department. I feel like I know faces when I walk into classes, and I think that being comfortable in a space is a large part of success,” she said.
After graduation, McConnell said she plans to earn a doctorate in computer science, mathematics, or a combination of the two. Inspired by her work with Professor Ziegelmeier’s team, she wants to continue to focus her research on analyzing social sciences.
McConnell said she is also interested in teaching at the university level. Before college, she was frequently the only woman in her STEM classes. She hopes to provide future students with the strong community, inclusive space, and research opportunities she’s found at Macalester.
“Creating a welcoming environment in STEM is really important to me. It’s something that I think professors have tried really hard to create for me, and that’s made a really big difference in my whole life. It’s why I am here today doing what I’m doing. I want to pay that back and be that person for someone else.”
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Program honors politician and military officer Barry Goldwater. The program aims to “identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation’s next generation of research leaders.” The program partners with the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs (NDEP) and the company UWorld to give awards to approximately 400 students across the United States.
April 14 2025
Frances McConnell ’26 is the ninth student from Macalester to receive the prestigious award since the scholarship’s inception.
April 14 2025
Dr. Beth Severy-Hoven, professor of the Classical Mediterranean and Middle East, was selected by a committee of past Jefferson Award winners.
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Mould, who formed the punk rock band Hüsker Dü with two friends during his first year at Macalester in 1978, will also receive an honorary degree.
April 7 2025
Macalester switches from bagpipes to recorder.
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March 31 2025
Macalester’s Ethics Bowl team won their second national title in three years as they came in first place at the 2025 National Ethics Bowl Championship.
March 11 2025
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