Senior David Zoltowski of the men’s swimming and diving team has been nominated for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship along with five other Michigan State students.

“I’m very honored and I would love the opportunity to get to interview and I am just hoping for the best,” Zoltowski said.

Each year, 32 students receive the Rhodes Scholarship. Students are nominated for their outstanding academic achievements, character and leadership. Recipients of the award will be provided with a full tuition to pursue a degree at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Zoltowski takes part in many extracurricular activities at Michigan State. He is the captain of the swimming and diving team, on the Student-Advisory Council, in Eta Kappa Nu honor society, and a Honors Times Two mentor.

“Since I was young I’ve been good at managing my time and being productive when I do have time, so it’s always just scheduling and thinking in advance and being a good planner,” Zoltowski said.

As an electrical engineering major, Zoltowski will graduate in May and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. After that, he hopes to become a professor and do research at a large university.

Zoltowski has been awarded many other scholarships while at Michigan State. These scholarships include the MSU Honors College National Scholarship, Arthur J. Harris Memorial Scholarship, Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and the Walter R. Yates Scholarship.

“It went really well. I have been on this team for four years and this is by far our best Big Ten opener. It bodes well for the season,” Zoltowski said on the meet against Iowa. “My favorite event is the 1000-yard freestyle because I had a great race. It was by far my best time ever in-season.”

In the meet against Iowa, Zoltowski competed in the 1000-yard and 500-yard freestyle for individual events.

Zoltowski will be on the road with the team heading to Buffalo, New York the weekend of Oct. 31, where they will compete against the University of Buffalo and Army.

Sophia Busk is a multimedia journalist for Impact Sports

Photo: Max King/Impact Sports