USA Today named Laura Iwan '93, an engineering major and former president of the College's Solar Car Racing Team, one of 20 undergraduates on the newspaper's 1994 All-USA College Academic First Team.
The contest, in its fifth year, recognizes students for their scholarship, intellectual achievement and leadership. Those selected for the Academic First Team are awarded $2,500.
USA Today chose Iwan from the 1,183 students nominated by their schools.
Iwan, who said she did not know who at Dartmouth nominated her for the contest, said the application process was simple. "All I had to do was send in an application with an essay and four recommendations," she said.
A key element in the selection process is how candidates apply their scholarship, academic talent and creativity to individual projects.
Iwan was president of Dartmouth's Solar Car Racing Team for two years. As president, she sought sponsorship for the cars, coordinated trips to races and shows and educated the public about alternative fuels.
In her final year at the Thayer School of Engineering, Iwan is a member of both Phi Beta Kappa and the College's chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. She is also a Rufus Choate Scholar, an honor reserved for the top 5 percent of each class.
Iwan left yesterday to attend the awards luncheon in Washington, D.C. "It will be neat to meet the other people on the First Team," she said. "But it's nothing very glamorous."
Last year Kamala Dansinghani '94 was named to the Academic First Team.
