EVANSVILLE, Ind. – A great season by the University of Evansville women's swimming and diving team has seen the program accomplish feats in and out of the pool.  The program, which finished the season with the 4^th-highest GPA in the nation, saw two of its individuals recognized.
 
Abby Smith, a professional chemistry major at the University of Evansville, has been named a 2015 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program.  Established by the U.S. Congress in 1986 to honor the former senator from Arizona, this nationwide scholarship program was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) research. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields.
 
Abby conducts research with Dr. Andy Lampkins, assistant professor of chemistry, where she is creating a new paradigm in cancer treatment called "smart" therapeutics. "Abby is developing prototypes that have the potential to target, treat, and detect cancer cells simultaneously," said Lampkins. "This technology would most certainly streamline the way cancer is treated today." Abby presented her research at a meeting of the American Chemical Society this past fall, and has accepted an internship in drug discovery at Eli Lilly and Company this coming summer. In addition to her interests in chemistry, Abby is a member of the Aces women's swimming/diving team.  After graduating from UE, Abby plans to enroll in a PhD program studying synthetic organic chemistry before seeking employment in the pharmaceutical industry. 
 
"I am very happy and proud of Abby Smith for winning the Goldwater Award. Abby Smith is a very hard worker who devotes 100% of herself to her academic and athletic pursuits," Aces head coach Rickey Perkins said.  "To win an award of such stature and be a full time student athlete shows her dedication and belief in our team philosophy, "strive to be the best you can be in all aspects of your life."
 
Senior Michelle Tipton was the recipient of the annual Lois Patton Award, which is given to the top senior student-athlete at UE.  It is based on sport performance, efforts in the classroom and work in the community.  Tipton got the job done in the pool, winning 7 Missouri Valley Conference events and setting nine program records along the way. 
 
"Michelle Tipton rewrote our history during her four years as a member of our team. Her determination to make this program better was shown every day in everything she did. She came each day with the mindset of "What can I do today to make us better today?", Perkins said.  "With that mindset she raised the level of the program.  I am very excited that she won the Lois Patton award. I can't think of a finer person to have Lois' history passed down to."