"Top of the Class"

Joshua Lotz has an insatiable interest in traditional Chinese medicine.

His quest for knowledge on the subject wasn't satisfied with a few books or some Google searching--so he went to China five times.

Lotz has started a school and managed a clinic; now, he's spending a year in the province Qinghai, where he studies the medicinal value of Himalayan poppies and runs a small coffee shop that funds his health and education projects. In August, Lotz will receive his bachelor's in biochemistry and his master's in Chinese. He plans to pursue a second master's degree in China and ultimately become a physician who works on global public health issues.

Lotz's big dreams and amazing accomplishments have been recognized by USA Today, which named him one of 20 members of this year's All-USA College Academic First Team.

He's one of many Ohio State students who deserve a hand for the awards they've racked up this year. Ohio State is the only university this year with a Rhodes Scholar and four Goldwater Scholars--the maximum in a single year--at the same time.

Congratulations to Ohio State's top scholars:

Rhodes Scholar:

Jessica Hanzlik

Carnegie Junior Fellows:

Kevin Slaten

Fulbright Scholars:

Robert Beaulieu

Matthew Borths

(Heather Sweetser is a Finalist)

Jacob K. Javits Scholars:

Laura Herbert

Morris K. Udall Scholar:

Ellis Robinson

(Honorable Mention given to Hudson McFann)

Barry M. Goldwater Scholars:

Craig Buckley

Ehsan Sadeghipour

Douglas Schaefer

Christine Zgrabik

Ohio Board of Regents Graduate/Professional Fellows:

Joshua Everhart

Rachel Mauk

National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows:

Marcella Card

Aimee Gall

Hannah Gustafson

Jessica Hanzlik

Elizabeth Johnson

Julie Thompson

Matthew Wohlever

(Honorable Mentions given to Adam Champion, Garrett Elliott, Catherine Grier, Robert Gulotty, Gregory Kestin, Kenton Williams, and Shannon Yee)

USA Today All-USA College Academic First Team:

Joshua Lotz