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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2002
Contact: Linn Burnaw
321-455-7011
Astronauts Award Seventeen $8,500 College Scholarships
Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell spearheads fundraising efforts
Titusville, Fla. — Through the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF), more than 30 former astronauts recently announced the award of scholarships for the 2002–2003 academic year to 17 dynamic undergraduate and graduate college students studying in areas of science and engineering.
"The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation strives to strengthen America's future by aiding these students in their pursuit of technological degrees," said Gemini/Apollo Astronaut and ASF Chairman Jim Lovell. "The astronauts, including myself, have pulled together to raise money to support this essential effort. Students like these will keep America's technology steadfast."
Each Scholar will receive $8,500, a total of $144,500. That will increase the total amount of money ASF has awarded since 1986 to $1,567,200 to 159 students across the country.
Candidates are nominated by faculty members and reviewed by a scholarship board at 17 cooperating educational institutions. Two nominees from each school are submitted to ASF's scholarship committee. The committee's selections are presented to the ASF's board of directors for final approval.
The more than thirty astronaut members actively fundraise through paid appearances, special events, corporate and individual donations, memberships and fees derived from attendance at the Astronaut Hall of Fame under the agreement with the U.S. Space Camp Foundation.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1984 by the six surviving members of America's original Mercury astronauts and Mrs. Betty Grissom, widow of the seventh, Gus Grissom, William Douglas, Project Mercury M.D. and businessman Henri Landwirth. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's goal is to facilitate the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships to upper level college students and those pursuing masters or doctorates in the fields of science and engineering.
The ASF's headquarters is located at the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which is adjacent to Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, Florida. For more information, call 321-455-7011.
The 2002–2003 recipients:
Georgia Tech — Patrick Thomas Biltgen from Marietta, GA, is Aerospace Engineering Major working on ultra-efficient engine technology while holding a 4.0 G.P.A.
Harvey Mudd College — David Joseph Diaz from Valley Village, CA, is a senior in Engineering and already working on a research paper on pipeline micro architecture in computers.
Miami University — Jacqueline A. Hardgrove from Pickerington, OH, is a senior in microbiology where she has been involved in research on microbial ecology and immunulogical processes.
North Carolina A&T — Maranda McBride of Greensboro, NC, is completing her Ph. D. in Industrial Engineering. She returned to the University after being in the industry for two and a half years and wants to teach and mentor African American students for careers in science and technology.
North Carolina State — Jason D. Surratt from Charlotte, NC, is a double major in Meteorology and Chemistry with a strong interest in a growing field of atmospheric chemistry.
North Dakota State — Kimberly M. Stanek from Bismarck, ND, is a junior major in engineering with special interest in polymers and coatings.
Penn State University — Eric S. Rotthoff from State College, PA, is a junior triple major in Computers, Astronomy and Astrophysics. His special interest is in micro gravity and gravitational waves.
Purdue University — Erica Gerace from Dayton, OH is a senior in molecular biology presently involved in gene isolation and replications techniques.
Syracuse University — Joseph Daniel Kummer from Honeoye Falls, NY, is a third time recipient and continues to research development of high-speed tilt rotor aircraft.
Texas A&M — John Tom Stewart IV from Springtown, TX, is a senior major in physics and mathematics who seeks to earn a doctorate in physics.
Tufts University — Veronica Chouinard from Medford, MA, is a senior in mechanical engineering with a strong interest in sustainable development around the world.
University of Central Florida — Abby Lee Elliott from Orlando, FL, is a senior mathematics major with a particular interest in calculus with an expectation to continue for a Ph. D.
University of Colorado — Jocelyn E. Renner from Topeka, KS, a senior double majoring in applied mathematics and Russian studies with the expectation that her knowledge of Russian and mathematics will be of value in future space programs.
University of Kentucky — Charles A. Martin from Lexington, KY, is a senior in computer science and electrical engineering with a great interest in development of artificial intelligence.
University of Minnesota — Timothy Robert Jackson from Cadott, WI, is working on a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering and continuing his studies of fluid/structure interactions in micro scale devices that are of value under micro-gravity conditions.
University of Washington — Andrew A. West from Ukiah, CA, is a PH. D. candidate in Astronomy working in radio astronomy as well as optical observations. Among other things, he is studying hydrogen gas in galaxies.
Washington University in St. Louis — Elizabeth Stoll from Chestnut, IL, is a senior biology major with a special attention in the development of improved mutants of crop plants throughout the world.