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The designation as a Goldwater Scholar goes to top math, science and engineering undergraduates with potential for future careers as researchers.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes, University Communications
April 16, 2008

Two University of Arizona honors students were recently named 2008 Goldwater Scholars, an honor that goes to some of the most accomplished students in the nation.

UA sophomore Michael Mitchell, who is pursuing degrees in biochemistry and molecular and cellular biology, and UA junior Sean Howe, who is pursuing degrees in mathematics and creative writing, were among 321 students nationwide to earn the honor.

An award amount of $7,500 is provided to students either once or for two consecutive years depending on a student's class standing. Mitchell will receive funds for two years while Howe will receive funds for one year.

Mitchell began his laboratory work last year with a focus in microbiology. “It interests me to look at how cells behave and carry out these processes,” he said. He works in a laboratory headed by Parker Antin, a UA professor of cell biology and anatomy and molecular and cellular biology that studies molecular regulation of vertebrate development."

Howe would like to research areas of mathematics that include number theory, topology and probability and is interested in teaching at a university.

He has a summer research internship lined up to spend time at Pennsylvania State University studying mathematics and algebraic geometry and next year he is planning on going on a math exchange program in Budapest, Hungary.

“I wouldn’t be able to do both of those things if not for the (Goldwater) scholarship,” Howe said. “It’s nice not having to worry about finances at all.”

Karna Walter, director of nationally competitive scholarships in the UA’s Honors College, said the scholarships go to “top undergraduates."

Those awarded are studying math, science or engineering and intend to pursue research careers in fields that are part of the in-demand STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. At least two UA students are named Goldwater Scholars each year, Walter added.

“We attract some top students who are interested in the very strong research already going on at the University,” Walter said. “They realize that there is a very viable path for them in the sciences and that scientists are approaching some very important questions that are also important to the community.”

Congress created the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program more than 20 years ago to honor the late Arizona Sen. Barry M. Goldwater.

The program’s foundation administers the scholarships, which go to students who have been nominated on the basis of merit. The foundation reported that, in recent years, nearly 200 of its fellows went on to receive Rhodes Scholarships and awards granted by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, among other prominent organizations.

The foundation is “trying to encourage the rising generation of scholars to pursue research and to enable us to have top researchers in this country,” Walter said.

“It’s a pretty high bar to apply,” she said. “The students selected usually have really high grade point averages and typically have quite a lot of research experience.”

Often, that research experience begins the first semester students arrive at the University and, for some, even earlier.

“So they’re people who hit the ground running when they get to the University,” Walter said. “You start adding all those things up, and you realize it’s a very competitive pool of students.”