Twymun Safford, a senior at the University of West Florida, received the top Bright Horizons Scholarship from Liberty Power, the leading Hispanic-owned energy provider in the United States.
The scholarship competition awards one $10,000 scholarship each year. Safford, a UWF physics and mathematics double major in the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, achieved first place in the competition.
Safford holds numerous affiliations on-campus and in the community. He is an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship leader, a physics teacher’s assistant and math tutor, community involvement chair for the Pensacola Chapter of Collegiate 100 Black Men of America, Inc., a member of the Society of Physics Students and a UWF Maximizing Access to Research Careers scholar.
“Being awarded the Bright Horizons Scholarship is an amazing opportunity that will help me further my educational goals and allow me to continue to make an impact on those around me,†Safford said.
In Spring 2017, Safford will graduate with his associate’s, as well as a Bachelor of Science in physics and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. He is currently applying to graduate schools, where he intends to focus his studies in nuclear and high-energy physics.
Safford notes that even with a small student population, there are plenty of opportunities to conduct both volunteer and paid research positions as undergraduate students at UWF.
“Our department is small but heavily focused on promoting excellence in academics, in research and even with outreach events and opportunities,†he said. “There are sophomores up through seniors who conduct research that gets published or presented.â€
Dr. Jaromy Kuhl, physics department chair at UWF, said Safford is a very determined and motivated student who seeks out opportunities that allow him to excel. Indeed, his success during a physics summer research experience for undergraduates at the University of Illinois is one reason he stood out among other applicants for this scholarship.
“What this means is that Physics majors are being prepared exceptionally well by the UWF physics faculty,†Kuhl stated. “Nearly all of the majors participate in summer programs like REUs and go on to graduate school.â€
For more information about the Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering, visit uwf.edu/cse.
