Air Force ROTC Cadet & Saint Louis University Graduate Honored with Top Academic Awards, Selected for Elite Graduate Program
Air Force ROTC Cadet Glen R. Gochenour has achieved exceptional recognition in the field of chemistry, receiving two prestigious undergraduate awards while being selected for the highly competitive Matthews Fellowship to pursue a graduate degree in chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Cadet Gochenour's outstanding academic performance at Saint Louis University culminated in graduation with summa cum laude honors and a remarkable 3.910 cumulative GPA. His exceptional work in organic chemistry earned him the Charles Kirkpatrick Award, which recognizes excellence in undergraduate chemistry studies, and the American Chemical Society (ACS) Organic Division Undergraduate Award, one of the most prestigious honors in organic chemistry education.
Building on these prestigious undergraduate achievements, Gochenour was selected for the Matthews Fellowship, an elite recognition that covers all educational expenses for graduate study in chemistry. The Matthews Fellowship represents one of the most competitive graduate awards available, recognizing students with exceptional academic promise and research potential.
"Cadet Gochenour’s success at Det 207 has been remarkable. Although we would have loved to keep him for his final year of ROTC, his transition to Det 190 at the University of Illinois for this graduate program will pay dividends for both Cadet Gochenour and the Air Force," said Lt Col Castlen, AFROTC Det 207's Commander.
The Matthews Fellowship selection is particularly significant, as it represents recognition of Gochenour's research potential and academic excellence by one of the nation's premier chemistry programs. The fellowship not only covers all educational expenses but also provides research opportunities that will enhance his technical expertise for future Air Force service.
Beyond academic excellence, Cadet Gochenour has established himself as a natural leader within the cadet wing. He has developed and implemented peer-led training programs that have improved academic and physical performance metrics for General Military Course (GMC) cadets. His mentorship has proven invaluable to junior cadets, and he consistently volunteers for additional leadership responsibilities, serving as a positive example and standard-bearer for the entire detachment.
Cadet Gochenour hails from Springfield, Illinois, graduating from Springfield Southeast High School.
About the School of Science and Engineering
Saint Louis University formed the School of Science and Engineering in 2022 to better meet the future needs of its students and faculty. The school brings together select departments from the College of Arts and Sciences — chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric sciences, and physics — with the former Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology. To learn more about the School of Science and Engineering, visit slu.edu/science-and-engineering.
About Saint Louis University
Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic research institutions. Rooted in Jesuit values and its pioneering history as the first university west of the Mississippi River, SLU offers more than 15,300 students a rigorous, transformative education that challenges and prepares them to make the world a better place. As a nationally recognized leader in research and innovation, SLU is an R1 research university, advancing groundbreaking, life-changing discoveries that promote the greater good.