Ocean City Native, West Point Cadet Named 'Goldwater Scholar'

OCEAN CITY, NJ — An Ocean City native currently studying chemical engineering at West Point has been announced a Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation.

Cadet Garret Longstaff, Class of 2025, is one of 15 Goldwater Scholars at West Point since competing in 2018, the academy announced in a news release.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship Program, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the United States, seeks to identify and support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields.

According to West Point, Longstaff is an active member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society and the Parachute Team. He is passionate about pioneering high-functioning nanomaterials poised to revolutionize medical and energy storage technologies, the news release said.

He conducts research under the mentorship of Col. F. John Burpo, within West Point’s Department of Chemistry and Life Science, and Col. Kit Parker at Harvard University. Longstaff hopes to create life-saving medical devices and enhance the efficiency of sensory mechanisms and energy storage solutions.

He said he envisions a future where his contributions will redefine the standards of healthcare and sustainable energy practices. Longstaff aims to pursue a Doctorate of Medicine and of Philosophy in Bioengineering and ultimately become an Aeromedical Evacuations Officer in the U.S. Army.

“This opportunity will allow me to continue exploring the unknown and connect with mentors and peers of similar scientific interests,” said Cadet Longstaff. “Being a part of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation will enhance my preparation to become a research professional and an Army officer.”