Michael Barany, a College Scholar and senior mathematics major, has been awarded a Marshall Scholarship for 2008. The Falcon Heights, Minn., native, who received a 2007 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship last spring for academic excellence in math, science and engineering, will pursue a Master of Philosophy degree in the history, philosophy and sociology of science at the University of Cambridge; and a Master of Science degree in science and technology studies at the University of Edinburgh.

At Cornell, Barany's work has focused on the history, philosophy and sociology of mathematics. Currently writing one honors thesis in mathematics and a second for the College Scholar program, he is particularly interested in the notions of rigor in mathematical proofs as defined by French, German and British mathematicians of the 19th and early 20th centuries -- a topic he plans to explore in more depth and breadth in his graduate work. "Math is in many ways one of the last frontiers of deep critical philosophy," he said.

After completing his two years as a Marshall Scholar, he plans to pursue two doctorates: one in math and one in science and technology studies.

Barany was the first undergraduate ever to participate in Cornell's School of Criticism and Theory, which he attended last summer with a Dean's Scholar research grant. He is an active member of the Cornell Branch of the Telluride Association, author of several scholarly articles in chemistry and recipient of two undergraduate research grants at Cornell.

He also plays French horn and trumpet and is a member of the Cornell Wind Ensemble and Cornell Symphony Orchestra and past member of the Cornell Wind Symphony.

In his recommendation letter to the Marshall Commission, Suman Seth, assistant professor of science and technology studies, said Barany demonstrated a depth of understanding in diverse disciplines that is rare even in seasoned scholars.

"Michael's plans for graduate school display the ambition that I've come to recognize as one of his key characteristics in the almost-weekly conversations we've had outside of class time," Seth wrote. "Few students could contemplate a double doctoral degree, but he clearly possesses the requisite talent and background for advanced work in the mathematical sciences."

In Seth's graduate level course, Science, Technology and Colonialism, Barany "received one of the very few A-plus grades I've ever given, for work that was regularly of a standard as high as that of almost all the graduate students in the class. His preparation was meticulous; his weekly response papers both creative and witty; his classroom participation articulate, innovative and generous."

Barany was at an orchestra rehearsal with his phone turned off when he got the call from the Marshall Commission. He noticed the voice-mail message during a break.

"I saw I had message with a Chicago area code," he said, "and I thought that might mean something good."

He listened to the message. "When I came back I had a huge grin on my face," he said. "It made it hard to hit the low notes."

Nine Cornell students applied for the Marshall Scholarship this year; six were endorsed by a faculty committee to represent Cornell to the Marshall Commission. Barany was the only candidate invited to an interview by the commission.

He is the eleventh Cornellian to win the scholarship since 1997. The last was 2007 Marshall Scholar Elisabeth Becker '06.