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Student awarded Goldwater Scholarship

By Catherine Monson '12
April 28, 2011

St. Olaf student Benjamin Simmons '12 has been awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship for the 2011–12 academic year.

Simmons was chosen from more than 1,000 applicants to receive one of 275 scholarships worth up to $7,500. They are awarded each year for undergraduate students who have shown significant achievement and potential in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. Since 1995, 29 St. Olaf students have been awarded this scholarship.

Simmons feels "incredibly honored and excited" to have received the Goldwater Scholarship. With a major in math and extensive study in physics, he has been involved in mathematical research since 2008. The results of his research with Associate Professor of Mathematics Kristina Garrett and three other St. Olaf students on combinatorics (a branch of mathematics) were published last fall. Simmons also performed research last summer, when he worked with Professor of Mathematics Matt Richey to investigate the work of British physicist Lord Kelvin.

After graduation, Simmons plans to attend graduate school for applied mathematics and work toward a career in research and design of renewable energy technology.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.