Awarded to 321 undergraduate sophomores and juniors nationwide from a field of 1,035 nominees studying science, mathematics, engineering or computer science, the one- and two-year scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. The program is aimed at stimulating highly qualified individuals to enter the science, mathematics and engineering fields.

Clare Bruggeman, Justin Henthorn and Ryan O'Donnell, all students in the Honors Tutorial College, were named Goldwater Scholars, and Tod Grusenmeyer, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences, received honorable mention.

Bruggeman, a junior environmental and plant biology major, plans to pursue a doctorate in plant biology in preparation for a career in teaching and research. Her research interest is plant biochemistry.

A senior mathematics major, Henthorn hopes to earn a doctorate in bioinorganic chemistry and eventually apply what he learns to researching alternative energy sources.

O'Donnell, a junior chemistry major, plans to pursue a doctorate in toxicology. His research interests include toxicological and analytical chemistry with real-world applications.

A junior chemistry major, Grusenmeyer plans to seek a doctorate in inorganic chemistry. His research interests include transition metal complexes that have potential applications in solar technology and molecular electronics.

"Clare, Justin and Ryan are hardworking, talented and delightful individuals," Honors Tutorial College Dean Ann Fidler said. "It is gratifying for their faculty mentors and the staff of the Honors Tutorial College to see them recognized at a national level as promising young scientists."

In addition to the students' hard work, Fidler attributes the university's high number of Goldwater winners to dedicated faculty, research opportunities and unique academic programming. Ohio University had the same number of Goldwater winners as Harvard, Princeton and Yale, she noted.