Sophomore wins Barry Goldwater scholarship

Atkisson has proposed about $700,000 in federally funded grants at MU.

By Krissy Tripp

Published April 6, 2009

Sophomore Curtis Atkisson is a project manager for several large federally funded grants, and now he has been awarded the Barry Goldwater scholarship.

The scholarship Web site explains the award goes toward college students who study science, mathematics or engineering in order to keep a flow of qualified people in professions related to those studies.

Arts and Science Associate Dean Ted Tarkow said the department usually has at least one student who receives the scholarship, and it reflects well on both the students and the department.

"We're very proud of Curtis Atkisson for winning such prestigious national recognition," Tarkow said.

Atkisson plans to major in psychology and anthropology with minors in biology and mathematics. His focus is on human behavioral ecology, which looks at the evolution of human behavior given the environment.

Atkisson said he hopes to later do research on cross-cultural neuroscience as well as set up research in Thailand looking at homosexual and transgender phenomena. He said he enjoys studying human evolution so much because the field is newer, so there is an opening for new theories and a broad range of topics to study.

Atkisson has proposed about $700,000 in research grants during his time at MU. In addition, he presented for the Popular Culture Association and Human Biology Association as well as given numerous guest lectures around campus.

"My goal is to do research and teach at the university level," Atkisson said.

Next fall, he plans to form a research group studying cross-cultural neuroscience with the goal of incorporating undergraduates in research and publications. He said he wants to group be open to any student with an idea of evolutionary logic.

Atkisson said he enjoys working so hard.

"I mean it's fun," he said. "I like doing research, meeting with people, collaborating with people."

Atkisson has some papers under review for publication and one that will be printed in an edited volume with the help of sociology professor Ed Brent.

"We're planning a whole series of papers and a book," Brent said.

Atkisson and Brent work together studying the program developed by Brent's company, SAGrader. Brent said they look at how the SAGrader program, which automatically grades students' essay assignments, allows students to learn more and improve their grade. One particular aspect Brent mentioned was the effect SAGrader has on minority students.

"It allows people to come in with a weaker background to catch up and perform well in their classes," he said.

Brent and Atkisson met at a New Year's Eve party where they discussed the potential of Brent's company. When Atkisson was offered a job with Verizon Wireless in Kansas City, Brent hired him at his own company where Atkisson works now.

"It was a big deal that he wrote the letter of recommendation, because my primary goal in getting the scholarship was not having to work anymore," Atkisson said.

By not working, Atkisson would be free to devote himself to more to research. The scholarship, in combination with his paid research position with Arts and Science dean Michael O'Brien, allowed Atkisson to drastically reduce the amount of hours he works at Brent's company.

When applying for the Goldwater Scholarship, Atkisson was nervous the scholarship isn't geared directly toward his focus of study, and he isn't involved in any organization.

"I was very surprised that I got this," he said.

Atkisson, who originally had no interest in human evolution, intended to study law, but a year in Thailand changed his perspective completely.

With no desire to go back to school after his return, Atkisson moved to New York where he became an actor and a model.

"My life experiences balanced out not being in an organization," he said. "It showed them I'm not just a super nerd. I can do things other than just academics."