Institute of Technology student receives prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Institute of Technology student Grant Remmen has received a prestigious 2010 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. Two other students from the Institute of Technology received honorable mention.

The annual award is given to outstanding sophomores and juniors pursuing research-oriented careers in math, engineering and science all around the nation. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 per year for up to two years of undergraduate study.

Remmen is a sophomore majoring in astrophysics, physics and mathematics in the Institute of Technology (soon to be called the College of Science and Engineering). He is also in the University Honors Program. Remmen plans to pursue a doctorate in astrophysics and later a career in research, possibly at NASA or at a university. Remmen is presently researching black holes with astronomy professor Robert Gehrz. Remmen completed an assessment of dark matter distribution in the Milky Way Galaxy with physics and astronomy professor Thomas Walsh during his freshman year. Remmen is a United States Presidential Scholar, National Merit Scholar, Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholar and Bentson Scholar. He is also a member of Golden Key International Honour Society and Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics Honor Society).

Students receiving honorable mention are Scott Isaacson and Brent Keller, who are both juniors in the Institute of Technology. Both students are actively involved in undergraduate research at the University of Minnesota and in summer programs.

Isaacson is a chemical engineering student, planning to earn his doctorate in materials science. He hopes to work at NASA on aerospace and renewable energy-related materials.

Keller is majoring in chemical engineering and chemistry and intends to pursue a doctorate in either chemical engineering or material science. He aspires to conduct research in nanotechnology and teach at the university level.

This year's Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,111 mathematics, science, and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide. Many of the scholars have dual majors in a variety of mathematics, science, engineering, and computer disciplines.

Congress established the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. For more information on the Goldwater Scholarship go to http://www.act.org/goldwater.