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CORVALLIS - Three Oregon State University students have earned $7,000 Goldwater Scholarships, the nation's most prestigious award for students planning careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering.

Nancy Eldin, Michael Anderson and Aleta Groenig were selected from a field of 1,200 students nominated by the faculties of universities nationwide.

• Eldin, an OSU junior in chemical engineering from Corvallis, is gaining on-the-job experience working at Hewlett-Packard Co. in Corvallis.

  "There's heavy competition for the Goldwater Scholarship and to be in this league is particularly exciting and very flattering," Eldin said. She wants to continue at Hewlett-Packard following graduation, Eldin said.

   

• Anderson, a senior in zoology from Englewood, Colo., is working with OSU Professor Andrew Blaustein on several amphibian research projects and is planning to pursue a doctorate in tropical ecology.

   

• Aleta Groenig, a sophomore in botany from Chimacum, Wash., is studying ties between fungi and plant roots and dominant species in ecosystems.

  "I would like to continue with botany and get at least a master's degree. I was so surprised to get the scholarship, I really didn't expect it."

The Goldwater Scholarship is part of a federally endowed program established in 1986. Honoring Sen. Barry Goldwater, the program has awarded 1,809 scholarships worth about $19 million.