Otterbein College junior Justin Young of Wooster, Ohio, has been awarded a 2009 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. A double major in Physics and Mathematics, Young is in the honors program at Otterbein College.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awarded 278 scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year to undergraduate sophomores and junior from the United States.

The Goldwater Scholars were selected on the basis of academic merit from a field of 1,097 mathematics, science, and engineering students who were nominated by the faculties of colleges and universities nationwide.

"Justin's accomplishments in physics, mathematics, and music readily identify him as one of our top students at Otterbein," said John Tansey, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry. "Justin has the proper combination of work ethic, gifted intellect, natural curiosity and ambition to become a great scientist."

Young has been conducting research with Dr. Brian Sell, assistant professor of physics, on the emergent properties of different sodium cobalt oxides. By employing computer modeling and synchrotron X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Young is attempting to elucidate details of the electronic structure of these compounds. This work is being done in collaboration with Dr. Norman Mannella of the University of Tennessee.

The Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry M. Goldwater was designed to foster and encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering. The Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate award of its type in these fields. In its 21-year history, the Foundation has awarded 5,801 scholarships worth approximately $56 million.

The Honors Program at Otterbein College is designed to provide intellectual stimulation and challenge for students with high academic ability and motivation. The four-year program provides the opportunity to participate in a community of students and faculty who have shared scholarly and creative interests. As part of that community students develop and complete their own Honors research and creative projects. Through the Honors seminars and Honors project, students develop advanced knowledge in their disciplinary fields and acquire the skills for independent work in their own areas of academic and professional interest.