FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2008
Media Contact: Beth Higdon
Beth@AstronautScholarship.org or 321-455-7013
Hero Astronauts Finish 13-State Scholarship Disbursement Trek
Kennedy Space Center, FL — U.S. Hall of Fame Astronauts just landed from personally presenting the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's (ASF) annual $10,000 scholarship award checks to extraordinary college students across the nation pursuing degrees in science and engineering.
From September through November thirteen of the nineteen scholars for the 2008-2009 school year were personally presented with an oversized check from a hero astronaut honoring them in front of their peers. While on campus, the astronauts also toured labs, classrooms and hosted a free public lecture detailing their time spent while out of this world.
"The school visits are a chance for us to tour campuses and view the amazing work these scholars are doing in their field of study. Being able to shake their hand and admire them for their hard work is definitely going to have an impact on their futures," said ASF Chairman and Apollo 15 Astronaut Colonel Al Worden. "However, in the end these students will receive much more than a generous scholarship check; they will receive lifelong mentors — us astronauts — and we believe in them."
Founded by the Mercury 7 astronauts in 1984, the ASF annually awards scholarships to top students who exhibit motivation, imagination and exceptional performance in the science or engineering field of their major. The scholars also possess intellectual daring and a genuine desire to positively change the world around them, both in and outside the classroom.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation award is the largest monetary award given in the United States to science and engineering students at the undergraduate level based solely on merit. To date the ASF has disbursed more than $2.6 million scholarship awards.
Astronauts who personally disbursed scholarship awards include:
STS-1 pilot Robert Crippen presented Georgia Institute of Technology senior, Jenna Campbell with her scholarship award. Campbell from Fayetteville, GA, is a physics major and plans to pursue a PhD in biophysics or chemical physics and work in academia.
Famed Apollo 13 commander James Lovell awarded Miami University (Ohio) scholar Richard Wagner with his check. Wagner a senior physics major from Canton, OH, is concentrating on theoretical quantum teleportation protocol with plans to become a professor of quantum optics.
Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot Al Worden honored North Dakota State student Matthew Wold with a scholarship check. Wold from Thief River Falls, MN, is a junior majoring in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, focusing his research on cellulosic ethanol and tractor design to improve agricultural productivity and quality of life in developing nations.
Space Shuttle veteran Fred Gregory presented Syracuse University senior Avi Hameroff with his award. Hameroff from Owings Springs, MD, is a senior physics major researching new ways to improve patient care through medical physics. His research also includes improving the safety and efficiency of CT scanners and developing seizure-preventing implantable devices.
Skylab astronaut Joe Kerwin awarded Texas A&M University student Susan Koons with her scholarship check. Koons is a senior in psychology and applied mathematical sciences from Spring, TX. Among other things, she is combining her knowledge in these two fields to model various attributes of the brain and its functions.
Space Shuttle astronaut Jeff Hoffman honored Tufts University senior Adam Raczkowski with a scholarship check. Raczkowski from East Longmeadow, MA, is a senior in mathematics and computer science He has studied computational neuroscience by looking at gamma rhythms of a neuron using mathematical models.
Apollo 7 astronaut Walt Cunningham presented University of Central Florida senior Ashley Ewh with the award. Ewh from Winter Park, FL, is a senior in mechanical engineering and is developing new, safe, and efficient nuclear fuels to expand the capabilities of nuclear power generation.
Astronaut and University of Colorado (Boulder) alumnus Vance Brand presented University of Colorado student Ryan Kennedy with his award. Kennedy from Longmont, CO, is a senior in computer science and applied mathematics. He has helped develop mathematical models to better understand biological probabilities and has co-authored a publication on the subject. He plans to pursue a PhD and continue research of innovative ideas in his field.
Apollo 14 moonwalker Edgar Mitchell honored University of Kentucky scholar Phillip Keathley with his award. Keathley is a senior electrical engineering major from Pikeville, KY, focusing his research on photonics and optical-based devises. He is currently developing optical biochemical sensors for use in the environmental, medical, and defense fields.
Astronaut and University of Michigan alumnus Jim McDivitt awarded University of Michigan student Heather Munoz with a scholarship check. Munoz from Richmond, MI, is a graduate student in structural engineering. Through her undergraduate research she tested beams to determine the flexural strength of steel-fiber reinforced concrete. She plans to work for a structural engineering firm in a position which balances design with application and applies improved sustainability.
Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden visited University of Minnesota to present Andrew Jones his scholarship. Jones is a senior chemical engineering and chemistry major from Edina, MN. He is currently focusing his research on biofuels and renewable sources of energy, and volunteers his time to educate the campus and community about renewable energy.
Skylab astronaut Joe Kerwin presented University of Oklahoma scholar Craig Schwartz with his check. Schwartz from Arlington, VA, is a graduate student in meteorology and is developing cutting-edge, high-resolution computer models to improve severe storm prediction and increase tornado warning lead times.
Space Shuttle astronaut Gordon Fullerton honored University of Washington senior Pavan Vaswani with his award. Vaswani from Vancouver, WA, is a senior with majors in computer science, biochemistry, and neurobiology. His current research involves characterizing brain tissue by developing a non-invasive device to measure intracranial pressure using ultrasound.
Additional scholarships were awarded to:
Harvey Mudd College — Nadia Abuelezam is a senior from San Mateo, CA, studying mathematics and biology. She is working on reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Africa and plans to pursue a career involving mathematical modeling of infectious diseases.
North Carolina A&T University — Current Astronaut Scholar Matthew Pittman from Brown Summit, NC, is a senior biology major with a special interest in neurobiology and plans to attend medical school next year.
North Carolina State University — Current Astronaut Scholar Ryan Going from Raleigh, NC, is a senior pursuing a double major in electrical engineering and applied mathematics. He has conducted original undergraduate research in electromagnetics and has spent his spring breaks volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Asheville, NC; Mobile, AL; and Ecuador.
Penn State University — Leah Liu from Silver Spring, MD, is a senior majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology. She is also an active advocate in local and national government for scientific issues.
Purdue University — Timothy Duquette from Western Springs, IL is a junior in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. As an intern he has designed parts for NASA's Ares 1 rocket and plans to continue working for NASA upon graduation.
Washington University (St. Louis) — Fiona Turett from Rochester Hills, MI, is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering. She has led a team experiment on NASA's C-9 Microgravity Test bed and is actively pursuing robotics research.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by the six surviving members of America's original Mercury astronauts. Its goal is to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships for exceptional college students who exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in the science or engineering field of their major. The Foundation funds nineteen $10,000 scholarships annually and has awarded more than $2.6 million in scholarships nationwide. For more information, log on to www.AstronautScholarship.org or call 321.455.7012.
2008–2009 Astronaut Scholar Quotes
"Getting the chance to spend a day with Mr. [Robert] Crippen was such an amazing experience. I am so honored and thankful for the award and that he was able to come to Atlanta. This was definitely a day I will never forget!"
— Jenna Campbell, Georgia Tech
"I was extremely honored to be presented the Astronaut Foundation Scholarship by astronaut Jim McDivitt. His stories and accomplishments will be a big inspiration as I complete my studies and strive to make the ASF proud of selecting me. Plus, the huge cardboard check will make a great memory!"
— Heather Munoz, University of Michigan
"It was a privilege to meet Mr. [Gordon] Fullerton and be honored by the ASF, and I cannot thank them enough for their support. Being able to focus on my work [during] my senior year as I prepare for graduate school is an inestimable boon — Thank you!"
— Pavan Vaswani, University of Washington
"It was such an honor to be personally recognized by Colonel Cunningham [for the scholarship]. I have much respect for astronauts and the space program in general. Space exploration is the ultimate engineering feat; to be able not only to solve the problems here on earth, but to also escape the planet completely and reach other worlds is incredible."
— Ashley Ewh, University of Central Florida
"It was evident that Dr. [Edgar] Mitchell, along with the ASF, cares about students today being able to explore their own curiosity about the world we live in. I feel fortunate to have their support as I embark on [an exploration of] my pursuits."
— Phillip Keathley, University of Kentucky
"Not only is was it an honor to be granted such a prestigious scholarship by the ASF, but it was great to be able to meet Vance Brand, something few people are given the opportunity to do."
— Ryan Kennedy, University of Colorado at Boulder
"Meeting Joe Kerwin was an incredible experience, as I have been fascinated with space since early childhood. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities that the ASF has provided me — thank you for your support."
— Susan Koons, Texas A&M
"It was a joy to have Jeff [Hoffman] honor me with the Astronaut Scholarship. He gave a great talk about where his life's passions brought him, and I was inspired to hear about what can be accomplished when you do what you love."
— Adam Raczkowski, Tufts University
"It was a true privilege to personally meet Joe Kerwin, and his stories about his experiences as an astronaut were fascinating and inspiring, in addition to his views on future space travel. I am honored to be included within the astronaut scholar community."
— Craig Schwartz, University of Oklahoma
"I'm grateful to Colonel [Fred] Gregory and ASF for providing such an extraordinary award to recognize the hard work of students like myself, and certainly never expected to be recognized with such a prestigious scholarship."
— Avi Hameroff, Syracuse University
"Receiving this scholarship is truly an honor and a responsibility. It is wonderful to know that people like the foundation believe in me and are willing to invest in my future. This scholarship has also heightened my sense of responsibility to push myself to make the full use of the talents that I have been given."
— Mathew Wold, North Dakota State University