Loren James Anderson, a sophomore majoring in mathematics, has been selected to receive the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship.
Anderson was among four NDSU students nominated for the scholarship. Other nominees included sophomores Bridget Eklund, Nicole Marie Snyder and junior John Breker.
“All of our institutional nominees have excellent academic and undergraduate research records, and we are delighted Loren Anderson has received this highly competitive national scholarship,” said R.S. Krishnan, senior vice provost, noting Anderson is the only recipient selected from North Dakota.
Anderson said he is uncertain of his future goals, but he may pursue a doctorate in discrete mathematics and potentially conduct research and teach at the university level.
“Winning the Goldwater Scholarship is an indication of the exceptional strength and success of the NDSU mathematics department. In just two years, the faculty have guided me from being a student undecided about his major to one who is actively corresponding and publishing research papers with other professors,” said Anderson, who attended Century High School in Bismarck, N.D. “This is a strong affirmation that I am in a suitable field of study, and it is also a great encouragement.”
Anderson said he’d particularly like to thank NDSU faculty members Azer Akhmedov, Benton Duncan and Indranil Sengupta, along with Peter Johnson of Auburn University and James Coykendall of Clemson University, for their support.
Last summer, Anderson participated in an eight-week research experience for undergraduates in Auburn, Ala. During that time, he worked on projects in the field of discrete mathematics, and produced an article, titled “Constructively Coloring the Line,” that was published in the Geombinatorics journal.
The Goldwater Scholarship’s goal is to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics. It was authorized by Congress in 1986 to honor Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the Senate.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.