FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Three University of Arkansas students have been named Barry M. Goldwater Scholars for 2007. All three are Honors College students in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. This is the twelfth consecutive year UA students have received the prestigious scholarship, bringing the university total to 36 Goldwater Scholars  since the first scholarships were awarded in 1988.

This year’s Goldwater scholars are Natalie Anderson, a junior biochemistry major from Springdale; Randy Carney, a senior chemistry major from Jacksonville; and Phillip Cleves, a junior biology major from Maumelle.

Natalie Anderson and Dr. Roger Koeppe

Phillip Cleves

Randy Carney and Xiaogang Peng

"I am delighted once again with our students' success in applying for this distinguished scholarship,” said University of Arkansas Chancellor John White. “To receive this recognition students must have completed significant research and must have strong support from a research mentor. Having three or more Goldwaters each year for eight of the last ten years highlights that we are a nationally competitive, student-centered research university. I am always impressed with these stellar students on an individual level.  Phillip Cleves, Randy Carney, and Natalie Anderson are completing research on par with graduate students in their fields.  All three are planning careers in research and in teaching, and I know this is just one of many accomplishments they will enjoy in their careers."

Goldwater Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit and research experience from a field of more than a thousand mathematics, science and engineering students who are nominated by colleges and universities nationwide.

“The Goldwater competition is rigorous,” stated Don Bobbitt, Dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. “Many schools famous for their science programs often only have one or two scholars, if any. This unparalleled record of success did not happen by chance. It happened only because the University of Arkansas Honors College,and its very professional staff, have made the Fayetteville campus the home of the pre-eminent honors program in the state, and one of the leading programs in the nation.

"That we have three Goldwater scholars speaks to the quality of the students on our campus and in Fulbright College and to the quality of their preparation. A flawless grade point average is not enough to make a student competitive for this award.  Research experience is required.  Natalie Anderson, Randy Carney, and Phillip Cleves each had to write an extended essay about a particular research question that interested them. These are curious, bright students who have the good fortune to work with talented faculty mentors like Professors Roger Koeppe, Xiaogang Peng, and Doug Rhoads.  Such collaborations guarantee success."

Natalie Anderson plans to earn a Ph.D. in biophysics or biochemistry.  Her long-term goal is to become a faculty member who both teaches and conducts research. She is currently working in Dr. Roger Koeppe's lab on peptide/lipid interactions.

Anderson is a Chancellor's Scholar and a Distinguished Governor's Scholar.  She also received the American Chemical Society Award and the Arthur and Lois Fry Chemistry Award for outstanding performances in the field.  She is an active member of the Fulbright Student Association and the Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Chemistry Fraternity as well as the Engineering President's Council.

Natalie Anderson is the daughter of Paul and Luann Lawrence of Springdale, and she is married to Joshua Anderson.

Randy Carney plans to become a research professor. He is conducting research on atom economy synthesis of high quality oxide nanocrystals under the guidance of Professor Xiaogang Peng.

 Carney is an Honors College Fellow and a Distinguished Governor's Scholar.  He was selected as the American Chemical Society Outstanding Freshman Scholar in 2004. He participates actively in a variety of organizations including the NWA Science Museum planning committee, STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur), the Honors College Ambassadors Program, and the film club.

Randy Carney is the son of Richard and Karen Carney of Jacksonville.

Phillip Cleves’ main interest is marine biology, and after obtaining a Ph.D. in molecular biology he hopes to focus his research on the cellular machinery involved in coral bleaching and reef ecology. He is working with Professor Doug Rhoads on a project that involves evaluating coral adaptability and is currently studying reef ecology in Australia.

 Cleves is a Silas Hunt Scholar and has received an Honors College Undergraduate Research grant, a Sturgis Research grant, and a Sturgis Study Abroad Grant. He is the co-founder and current president of the UA biology club, an Honors College student ambassador and a Silas Hunt student mentor.

Phillip Cleves is the son of Mario and Patti Cleves of Maumelle.

Zachary Donnell, a chemistry major from Miami, Oklahoma, received an honorable mention as well.  He is conducting research with Professor Jeffrey Silberman on parasites.

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, and the first scholarships were awarded in 1988. The purpose of the program is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. Universities and colleges may nominate up to four students each year.

A Goldwater scholarship was first awarded to a UA student in 1990. Previous UA Goldwater Scholars include a Rhodes Scholar, a Marshall Scholar, a Gates Cambridge Scholar, six National Science Graduate Fellows, a Fulbright Scholar and a Udall Scholar. They have pursued doctoral work at prestigious programs including University of Virginia, University of Michigan, University of California-Berkeley, Cambridge, Columbia, Cornell, St. Andrews (Scotland), Oxford, Stanford and Washington University.