Fort Collins' Lucy Burgchardt Awarded Gates Scholarship to Cambridge University

RIPON, WI (04/30/2010)(readMedia)-- Lucy A. Burgchardt, a senior studying anthropology at Ripon College in Ripon, Wis., has been awarded a Gates Scholarship to pursue an M.Phil. in archeology at Cambridge University this coming fall. She is the first Gates Scholar in Ripon College's 159-year history.

Burgchardt was one of 29 other scholars selected from a pool of 124 finalists in the U.S. The criteria used in the Gates Cambridge Scholarship selection process include "intellectual ability, leadership potential, a commitment to improving the lives of others and a good fit with Cambridge."

"This is a truly remarkable accomplishment and a noteworthy honor, primarily for Lucy but also for the college," said Dr. Paul Jeffries, associate professor of philosophy and chair of the department at Ripon. Dr. Jeffries assisted Burgchardt with the application process.

"Ripon is a small college with tremendous opportunities for motivated students," said Ripon College President David C. Joyce. "We are proud to call Lucy one of our own and look forward to her future achievements."

Burgchardt is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Carl Burgchardt of Fort Collins, Colo.

About Ripon College

Ripon College, a private liberal arts institution located 70 miles NNW of Milwaukee, Wis., was founded in 1851. Its mission is to prepare students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon's liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. Ripon has consistently been recognized as a "best value" and "Best 371 College" by The Princeton Review; a "Best Buy in College Education" by Barron's; a "Best Liberal-Arts College" by Washington Monthly; one of the 40 best liberal-arts colleges nationwide for value by U.S. News and World Report; and among the top 100 private colleges in the nation overall and for value by Forbes Magazine. For more information about Ripon College, visit www.ripon.edu.