(Posted April 30, 2018)

Photo: Ichiro Narita '18

Photo: Ichiro Narita '18

Huntingdon, Pa. –Youn Kyung (Rachel) Kim, a Juniata College sophomore studying biology with a minor in Spanish, has been awarded an Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).   

“I’ve always loved the ocean,” says Kyung. “I’m particularly interested in research around water quality, so this scholarship is a perfect fit for me.”

The Hollings Scholarship is awarded to college students entering their junior year who are in studying fields that are of interest to NOAA such as engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, math or marine and atmospheric sciences. Students are selected based on their success in these fields and an application essay.

“I really appreciate the education that I’m getting at Juniata,” says Kim. “There’s so much support here. This place makes me feel that doors are open to you if you put in the effort. Professors encourage students to be involved in research and explore new areas of study.”

Kyung will receive tuition support for her junior and senior year, and was admitted into a 10-week, paid internship program at a NOAA facility for the summer of 2019. 

“Water quality is so important,” says Kyung. “Even here in America we have problems with our water—look at Flint, Michigan. I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity to delve deeper into this research.”

Originally from South Korea, Kyung’s family moved to the U.S. 10 years ago. Now a U.S. citizen, Kim lives in California. She is a graduate of Northfield Mount Hermon School, and the daughter of Hyun Woo and Jung Hyun Kim.

 

--Written by Nathan Woods ‘19--

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.