As a high school student, Antonio Harvey walked into a Longwood chemistry lab and fell in love with the subject. Only three years later, he has been named a recipient of the 2023 Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate award for students pursuing careers in mathematics, science, or engineering research.
Harvey is one of only a few students in the country to receive the award in their sophomore year, a testament to his research abilities. Typically, students apply for the Goldwater Scholarship during their junior year, but Harvey has already spent more time in the lab and completed more research projects than many graduating seniors.
This year, Harvey is one of 413 Goldwater Scholars chosen from a pool of 1,267 undergraduates nominated by 427 academic institutions. Scholars receive up to $7,500 per year for the rest of their undergraduate studies.
“The Longwood community is so proud of Antonio,” said Dr. Larissa Smith, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “He has spent countless hours in the chemistry lab, and his combination of talent and hard work has earned him this recognition. I know he will continue to be an inspiration to his classmates.”
Harvey is a Farmville native who was introduced to chemistry research as a high school student when he was chosen for the Longwood Summer Scholars: Exploring Science program.
The program connects gifted high school students with Longwood faculty and students participating in an intensive summer research project. High school students are introduced to advanced research methods and practices and are able to fully contribute to the team.
“Antonio has an insatiable mind,” said Dr. Sarah Porter, professor of chemistry who led the Summer Scholars program and mentored Harvey in his first research project. “He pursues research in various fields within chemistry — analytical, organic, and biochemistry — because he wants to learn as much as he can about the research process. He will certainly become a talented researcher and world-class scholar, and I am so happy to stand with the entire Longwood community and applaud his achievements.”
Harvey is Longwood’s second Goldwater Scholar. Dr. Tom Pettus ’90, a chemistry professor at University of California at Santa Barbara, won the award in 1989.