A pair of East Tennessee State University students have earned the 2026 Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for undergraduates pursuing careers in science, engineering and mathematics.
Trent Lewis and Raina Desai received the award from the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, which Congress established in 1986 to support the next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians. The scholarship recognizes students who show exceptional promise as future research leaders.
Their selection places Lewis and Desai among an elite group of students nationwide chosen for their academic achievement and research potential.
The honor also reflects ETSU’s growing success in nationally competitive scholarship programs.
ETSU students have won major awards in recent years, including the prestigious Truman Scholarship. ETSU graduate Trent White was a finalist for the internationally renowned Rhodes Scholarship in 2024. Kyah Powers was a finalist in 2025. This year alone, ETSU advanced eight out of nine Fulbright applicants to the semifinal round.
ETSU first celebrated a Goldwater Scholar in 2022, when Piper Floyd earned the award.
Dr. Brian Noland, president of ETSU, said the recognition highlights both the talent of ETSU students and the university’s commitment to helping them pursue ambitious academic goals.
“Trent and Raina represent the very best of ETSU,” Noland said. “Their curiosity, determination and commitment to research reflect the spirit of discovery that defines our university.”
Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said the recognition underscores the strength of ETSU’s academic programs and mentoring culture.
“These scholars reflect the remarkable potential of ETSU students and the faculty who guide them,” McCorkle said. “Their success shows what happens when talent meets strong academic support and meaningful research opportunities.”
ETSU has strengthened its efforts to help students pursue nationally and globally competitive scholarships. The university provides guidance and mentorship as students navigate the rigorous application and interview process.
Dr. Carson Medley, director of Prestigious Awards at ETSU, said those efforts continue to open doors for students.
“The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation represents far more than an individual student honor,” said Medley. “It’s a nationally recognized barometer of the strength, rigor, and ambition of a university’s research ecosystem in science, engineering, and mathematics, especially for a regional public institution competing against the country’s most elite STEM institutions on a national stage.”
See how the research of ETSU students, faculty and staff pushes the status quo at etsu.edu/go-beyond.
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