Alexandra McGuire of Amherst Earns Academic Recognition at Skidmore College

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (07/19/2011)(readMedia)-- Alexandra McGuire, a member of the Class of 2011 at Skidmore College, earned academic recognition at the college this spring.

She is the daughter of Charles and Rebecca McGuire of Amherst.

McGuire earned a B.A. degree cum laude with honor in computer science at Skidmore's 100th commencement in the spring.

She also received two academic prizes: the Alan M. Turing Prize in Mathematics and Computer Science, awarded annually to a student who displays excellence in the study of mathematics or computer science; and the Tim Brown Scholar Athlete Award, named in honor of a former professor and athletic director and presented annually to a senior who exhibits outstanding accomplishment in both academic and athletic pursuits at Skidmore.

McGuire was a four-year member of Skidmore's national champion equestrian team and co-captain during her junior and senior years. She also was a member of the Skidmore Thoroughbred Society, which recognizes varsity student-athletes who have achieved a grade point average of 3.67 or higher.

She was the recipient of a Porter Presidential Scholarship while at Skidmore. Porter Scholarships in science and mathematics are awarded on the basis of superior accomplishment and exceptional promise, without regard to financial need. Scholarship recipients are not required to major in a scientific or mathematical discipline but they are expected to demonstrate serious research and to participate actively in academic and co-curricular activities in these fields.

During her Skidmore career, McGuire was elected to membership in Pi Mu Epsilon, the national honorary mathematics society. In addition, she earned high honors for academic work completed during the spring semester.

Founded in 1903, Skidmore College is a coeducational, liberal arts college with an enrollment of approximately 2,400 students. The college grants the bachelor's degree in some 60 majors, including both traditional liberal arts disciplines and preprofessional programs. Skidmore also awards the master of arts in liberal studies degree.