Wartburg College senior Caitlin Anderson is one of two students to receive an R.J. McElroy Graduate Fellowship.

Anderson, a double major in mathematics and biology, will receive up to $30,000 paid over three years as a fellowship recipient. She plans to pursue a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology at the University of Chicago.

The fellowship, established by the McElroy Trustees in 1983, is designed to “encourage persons of accomplishment, intelligence, integrity, and leadership ability to pursue challenging academic careers.” 

“Wartburg has offered me a variety of courses that have furthered my interest in the sciences. My advisers and professors have been supportive of my pursuit of a double major,” the Dodge Center, Minnesota, native said.

Anderson added that the skills she gained through research experience, including her work as a summer research fellow at Yale University in 2014, will be directly applicable to her graduate student work.

J. Keith McClung, professor of biology, praised Anderson for her excellence in academics and leadership.

“She is a determined, dedicated student who has worked well in team environments with peers and with faculty,” McClung wrote in his letter of recommendation. “… Caitlin is in my top 5 percent of students whom I have worked with over 18 years in education.”  

McClung added that Anderson is “humble, caring of others, freely sharing credit in team projects and amazing to have work for you.”

Anderson is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Chi, Beta Beta Beta and Kappa Mu Epsilon honor societies and was part of Wartburg College Dance Marathon for two years.

Morgan Rea of Loras College also was awarded the fellowship.