Oxford bound: Two Arts Sciences students win Frost scholarships

Two Florida State University graduating seniors will be studying at the University of Oxford this fall after being named Frost Scholars in the inaugural year of the scholarship program.

Lawrence Dunn

Lawrence Dunn and Samantha Siegel will begin their studies at Oxford in October 2014. They are among 10 recipients of scholarships through the Frost Scholarship Programme, which funds current State University System of Florida students for one-year, full-time master's courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Oxford.

Samantha Siegel

The program, which is supported by the Phillip and Patricia Frost Philanthropic Foundation, covers 100 percent of university and college fees and provides a grant for living costs.

"We are incredibly proud and excited for two of our graduating seniors to be named as Frost Scholarship recipients in this inaugural year of the program," said Craig Filar, assistant dean of Undergraduate Studies and director of the Office of National Fellowships. "To have two scholars selected to represent Florida State University at Oxford as Frost Scholars illustrates the exceptional preparation and support that our STEM students receive at FSU in their scholastic endeavors."

Dunn, 21, of Orlando, Fla., has always been interested in the overlap between computer science and pure mathematics. Now, after graduating May 2 with a degree in mathematics, the Frost Scholarship will allow him to pursue a master's degree in this area. He hopes to focus on homotopy type theory, a somewhat radical new field that explains mathematics as essentially a programming language.

"It's so surreal to think I'll be witnessing and hopefully taking part in such exciting scientific work at such a renowned university," Dunn said. "Were it not for the Frost Scholarship, I probably would not have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's a tremendous honor."

Siegel, 21, of Weston, Fla., graduated May 2 with a degree in biological science and plans to study pharmacology at Oxford.

"I'm excited to be able to have the opportunity to integrate my passion for medicine and research at such a prestigious school," Siegel said. "This scholarship gives me the chance to pursue my dream and work toward my goal of making an impact in the world of medicinal research. I am looking forward to the one-on-one interaction I will be able to have with world-renowned professors, while being able to study in an incredibly historic atmosphere. I hope to grow intellectually and culturally while studying at Oxford, as well as find an area of pharmacological research that I can contribute to."

Filar said he hopes the success of Dunn and Siegel will encourage graduating seniors to consider applying for the Frost scholarship next year.