May 5, 2004 -- A fellowship from the U.S. Department of Defense is helping Chanoch Goldfeder on his way to Columbia University next fall, where he will work toward a master’s degree and a doctorate in computer science. Mr. Goldfeder, 21, received the prestigious National Defense Science and Engineering Fellowship, which covers tuition and fees and offers a stipend. “I am really excited,” Mr. Goldfeder said. “It was the first acceptance I received and it was the fellowship I really wanted.” Mr. Goldfeder, who will graduate with a double major in math and computer science, will conduct research in the robotics lab of Dr. Peter Allen, professor of computer science at Columbia University. “I would like to be a professor and conduct research and I’d also like to be involved in Jewish communal services,” he said. During his years at YC, Mr. Goldfeder was a member of the computer science society and the dramatics society. He was also active in the Max Stern Division of Communal Services. “Chanoch showed a high degree of creativity in his approach to problem solving,” said Dr. Gabriel Cwilich, associate professor of physics at YC. “I used to post online puzzles that related to creative applications of the material covered in class. Chanoch even established a warning system in his pager that would alert him when I typed anything in that particular Web page.” The defense department granted 170 fellowships, 13 of which are for computer and computational science.