DANIELLE MALOTT/Arizona Daily Wildcat David Brown, mathematics junior, is the recipient of the Goldwater scholarship, a $7,500 merit based award.

Two UA undergraduates recently became the recipients of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, giving each winner substantial funding to pursue their chosen areas of research.

Benjamin Armbruster, a senior in mathematics and engineering, and David M. Brown, a math senior, were chosen over thousands of applicants nationwide to be two of 300 Goldwater scholars, according to Dr. Karna Walter, UA assistant director of international studies and scholarship, and faculty adviser for the scholarship foundation.

"The scholarship rewards the most promising undergrad researchers in math, science and engineering," Walter said. "We're looking for people who will make the U.S. the international leader in those fields."

Available to juniors and seniors, the scholarship gives $7,500 to each winner annually, replacing current financial aid for the duration of their undergraduate education.

Brown plans to use his funding so that he can focus on research next semester and not have to work.

The second semester he intends to study math in Hungary, through a program called Budapest Semester in Mathematics, which he has taken part in already, he said.

"Budapest is one of the top countries in mathematics, particularly discrete mathematics," Brown said. "I dream every day of going back there to study again. The Goldwater will pay for me to do that."

With passions for teaching and music, as well as math, Brown is a member of the band Head Pigeons, and said he can see himself pursuing similar venues in Hungary.

"(Ten years from now) I see myself sitting in a tea house in Budapest, Hungary, with a research notebook and a few other mathematicians working on the Riemann hypothesis or something equally fascinating," Brown said. "We'll all be research post-docs, and on the side I'll be playing bass in the first Hungarian Dream Theater cover band."

Armbruster, on the other hand, said he may pursue either an academic or industrial research career, applying mathematical tools to what he believes are interesting or pressing problems.

"Benjamin is, without a doubt, the most outstanding second year student I have had in my 44 years of teaching engineering and mathematics," said mathematics Professor David Lomen. "His ability to see the essence of a problem and the ability to apply a wide variety of mathematical techniques is uncanny."

Both men said they plan to pursue doctorates in math, something the Goldwater foundation looks highly upon, as well as academic relationships with their professors and exemplary grades.

"It's so competitive that having an excellent GPA ÷ at least 3.8, 3.9, is the lowest common denominator," Walter said.

"What set (Brown and Armbruster) apart was what distinguished faculty had to say about them. They recognized their intelligence and research ability and promise ÷ they're capable beyond their years."

To be in the running for the scholarship, a student needs to be nominated by his or her college or university, which can nominate up to four students, Walter said.

The number of scholarships awarded to students in each state varies depending on the number and qualifications of the nominees ÷ this year Arizona had five scholars total, according to the Goldwater Foundation.

The scholarship was initiated in 1986 to honor U.S. Senator Barry M. Goldwater. Its purpose is to "alleviate a critical current and future shortage of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers," according to the Goldwater Foundation.