Michael Coughlin Receives Prestigious Churchill Scholarship

Trinity School at River Ridge alumnus Michael Coughlin (class of 2008) receives the prestigious Churchill Scholarship.   

The Churchill Scholarship seeks to honor graduating college seniors demonstrating exceptional academic talent, personal qualities, and significant achievement. As a Churchill Scholar, Michael will join thirteen other recipients of outstanding merit in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics for a year of fully-funded study at the University of Cambridge.  The scholarship will provide Michael with between $45,000 and $50,000 worth of funding covering university fees, living expenses and travel allowances.

Michael, a senior mathematics and physics major at Carleton College in Northfield, says that “this is the most humbling honor I have ever received and it is absolutely a dream come true. Working in the Institute of Astronomy at Cambridge will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I will have the opportunity to meet and work with some of the world’s most accomplished scientists in my field. As science is now a globally collaborative effort, the personal and professional connections I will make will continue long after my Cambridge experience ends.”

Michael also notes that this achievement “reflects that Trinity clearly provided me with an excellent math and physics foundation for college. I first learned to apply programming in Trinity’s junior and senior physics classes. My ability to program in MATLAB as well as my desire to do physics research secured me a research offer and position in the Carleton Physics Department within two weeks of starting at Carleton.” Michael and other graduates regularly return to discuss their research with Trinity classes.  Last November, Michael spoke to the current Trinity senior physics class on the topic of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity and created a corresponding website and MATLAB related exercise for the students.

Dr. David O’Hanley, senior Trinity School faculty and trustee, said, “Michael is a wonderful example of what wonder, intellect and hard work can achieve in a school setting where high expectations are in place. Michael took full advantage of faculty time and expertise at River Ridge to develop the appropriate intellectual and emotional perspective for a fun-filled career in physics. I look forward to having him back to Trinity to inspire another class of physics students.”

Celebrating its 25^th year, Trinity School at River Ridge provides a classical education for students in grades seven through twelve.  Trinity School is located in Eagan, MN.  For further information, please contact Peggy Louiselle, Sr. Director of Advancement at plouiselle@trinityschools.org or visit www.TSRR.org.