When Gregory Newby, a Carnegie Mellon University sophomore from Penn Hills, learned he'd won a Goldwater scholarship, he didn't have to look far to spot others celebrating.

Three other students on his campus won the prestigious award.

Carnegie Mellon is one of seven schools nationally with the maximum four Goldwater winners. Penn State University has three recipients, the University of Pittsburgh two and Indiana University of Pennsylvania one.

Established by Congress two decades ago, the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program helps educate future scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships. It is named for the late U.S. Sen. Barry M. Goldwater of Arizona.

More than 1,000 juniors and seniors were nominated for one of the 317 scholarships awarded. Goldwater Scholars receive one- or two-year awards of up to $7,500 annually covering tuition, fees, books, and room and board for study at an accredited institution.

Mr. Newby, 19, is majoring in biological sciences and wants to one day develop methods to cure and prevent viral disease.

"I think the most important thing about the award is it will make me a little more competitive when I apply to graduate school," he said.

Carnegie Mellon's other recipients are:

Samantha Spath, a junior biological sciences major from Sterling Heights, Mich., who wants to teach at a university and do research in human disease.

Jonathan Stahlman, a junior from Clarion, is majoring in physics and wants to study alternative energy sources.

Lauren Thorpe, a junior from State College majoring in biological sciences, wants to obtain a doctoral degree in virology and do research.

Penn State's recipients are John E. McManigle, a physics major interested in microbiology and molecular medicine; Vincent Viscomi, an astronomy/astrophysics major with a research interest in astronomy and theoretical physics; and Leah Liu, a biochemistry and molecular biology major who is interested in animal development.

The University of Pittsburgh's recipients are Benjamin Gordon, a mechanical engineering major whose interest involves performance and energy efficiency, and Stanley Steers, a physics and music major who will seek a doctorate and do research.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Elizabeth Paladin, a chemistry major, will use her award to pursue a career in pharmaceutical research.

The other schools with four Goldwater Scholars this year were Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Harvard University, Kenyon College, North Carolina State University and the University of North Texas.