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As a first-generation college student, Corbin Hibler found his footing as a scholar at Ohio Northern University. Now, the junior majoring in computer engineering has received the prestigious .

Corbin is among the 454 students named Goldwater Scholars, selected from 1,485 nominees representing 482 academic institutions in the United States, according to the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. The scholarships are awarded to students planning research careers in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics.

For as long as he can remember, Corbin has been intrigued by the workings of computers. “It’s like real-life magic,” he says, “and I’ve always been fascinated to learn more.”

In high school, he didn’t apply himself academically. He even considered not attending college, but a high school teacher insisted that he go. Once at �������Ƶ, his classes and interactions with professors in the College of Engineering sparked his intellectual curiosity.

“When professors know you by name, like they do at �������Ƶ,” he says, “it’s much easier to approach them and ask them to be part of a research project.”

Corbin joined the Robotics team his freshman year, loving the weekly exposure to hands-on learning of advanced knowledge and concepts. That same year, he assisted Dr. Firas Hassan, professor of electrical and computer engineering, on a novel research project involving hardware security.

Last summer, he engaged in a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the Air Force Institute of Technology. This summer, he’s participating in a Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) in quantum computing at the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago.

At �������Ƶ, he is also a dedicated musician, playing percussion in the �������Ƶ Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, and his own band. “I like music; it keeps me sane,” he says.

His short-term goal is to attend a top tier graduate school for his Ph.D. and embark on a career in academic research. “I’d like to immerse myself in a long-term research project and go full steam ahead,” he said.

Contributing to the betterment of humankind, rather than seeking wealth, is why he’s interested in tech innovation, he says.

“The question I ask myself is, after 40 years of working, will I be proud of what I did?” he says. “If I come up with a fantastic idea, I want the world to be able to use it.”