Going for Gold: Abby Tarr is UNO’s Most Recent National Goldwater Awardee
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is excited to celebrate another Goldwater awardee, who joins 440 other students across the country in 2025 in receiving this national recognition.
Abby Tarr, a rising senior majoring in Psychology, was recognized earlier this year for her potential as a student researcher. Her mentor, Professor Roni Reiter-Palmon, Distinguished Professor of I-O Psychology, was thrilled to celebrate Abby’s achievements within her lab, while others there, including Cody Knight, supported her efforts enthusiastically.
Abby Tarr, Goldwater Scholarship Recipient
With minors in Sociology and Political Science, as well as a commitment to completing the academic requirements of the University Honors Program, Abby is a rising star. She has conducted independent research with Dr. Brigette Ryalls of the Psychology Department too. Her talents are firmly rooted within her major field, and she is committed to furthering her education through graduate study in Clinical Psychology. Her research interests currently lie in evaluating creative arts therapy as an intervention for depersonalization/derealization disorder within specific contexts.
Her interests range widely and are indicative of the breadth of her intellectual pursuits. Honors Professor Todd Richardson found Abby to be “one of the most insightful, creative and driven students I have worked with throughout my more than three decades in higher education.”
With scholarship funding and a robust network at their disposal, Abby is poised to conquer new heights in her academic pursuits. Dr. Lucy Morrison, Director of the Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships, “encourages fellow students, especially sophomores and juniors, to think about applying for such nationally competitive awards, as UNO has a consistent record of achievement in this area.”
As a community, UNO is committed to empowering our students and unlocking their full potential. Through the Office of National Scholarships and Fellowships, we provide unparalleled support to help students pursue prestigious awards. For those eager to embark on a similar journey, reach out to Dr. Morrison.
Year | Awardee |
2024 | Tai Prauner and Isabelle Weber |
2023 | Abby Swoboda |
2022 | Brandon Villanueva-Sanchez and Maia Bennett |
2021 | Sarah Alsuleiman |
2020 | LeeAnna Lui |
2018 | Samantha Sack |
2017 | Zachary Meade and Harim Won |