Ogden Honors College Junior George Tisdale Named Goldwater Scholar
April 13, 2026
The chemistry junior was recognized among only 454 recipients nationwide for exceptional promise in scientific research.
A photo of 2026 Goldwater Scholar George Tisdale outside of the French House on April 13, 2026.
BATON ROUGE, La. — George Tisdale, a junior in the LSU Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College majoring in Chemistry, has been named a 2026 Barry Goldwater Scholar. Established by Congress in 1986 in honor of Senator Barry Goldwater, the scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding undergraduates who demonstrate exceptional promise in STEM research careers. Only 454 scholarships were awarded nationwide for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Tisdale began conducting research in his freshman year in Assistant Professor Clifton Wagner’s group, focusing on the exploratory synthesis of coordination complexes with polyaromatic heterocycles. After completing Assistant Professor Sviatoslav Baranets’ Practical X-Ray Crystallography graduate course and working alongside crystallographer Frank Fronczek, he launched an independent research project growing crystals, collecting diffraction data, and solving their three-dimensional structures. He has co-authored two papers and presented his work at LSU Discover Day, the American Chemical Society's Fall 2025 Conference, and the MateriAIZ Winter School.
George Tisdale presenting his research at the American Chemical Society's fall 2025 conference.
Tisdale credits the Ogden Honors College as a central part of his development as a researcher and scholar. “The honors courses’ emphasis on exploration and creativity have influenced my academic sensibilities to stress curiosity, especially for subjects besides chemistry and science,” he said. “The OHC has expanded the breadth of my education and research experience.”
Tisdale said the Ogden Honors College was a draw from the moment he considered attending LSU. “I certainly came to LSU with the intention of seeing the Honors College all the way through,” he said. “The smaller community of peers, specialized classes and sections, and the emphasis on research, by virtue of the honors thesis, were the main draws. It is an essential part of my LSU experience.”
Jonathan Earle, Dean of the Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College, celebrated the recognition. “The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious award in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics,” he said. “This is a testament to George’s hard work, and the great partnership between the Honors College and our outstanding faculty in the Chemistry department.”
About the Ogden Honors College
The Roger Hadfield Ogden Honors College at Louisiana State University engages exceptional students from all backgrounds in a rigorous academic community built on seminar-style learning, faculty mentorship, and undergraduate research. Founded in 1992, the college offers seminar classes, faculty mentoring relationships, and research opportunities culminating in an Honors Capstone. Its recently transformed curriculum provides structured pathways to graduation, ensuring students gain interdisciplinary knowledge, research experience, and the leadership skills needed for professional and academic success.