Grant funds multiple chemistry, physics scholarships
Ten incoming freshmen chemistry and physics majors at East Carolina University received scholarships of $5,000 each thanks to a $620,884 grant from the National Science Foundation.
All recipients are North Carolina residents.
Scholarship winners who intend to major in chemistry are Lauren Ackerman of Trent Woods, Mary Becker of Black Mountain, Rahel Haile of Charlotte, Jahmil James of Fayetteville, Mitul Patel of Hendersonville, Sophia Pena of Hope Mills, Fabricio Sanchez of Matthews and Nouci Vue of Connelly Springs. Recipients who plan to major in physics are Roderick Hall from Riegelwood and Timothy Sault from Cary.
The scholarship program was developed in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences under the direction of Allison S. Danell, Anthony M. Kennedy and Anne Marie Spuches from chemistry, and Regina DeWitt and John M. Kenney from physics. The program aims to provide higher education access to students with solid academic preparation, financial need and the potential to succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Scholarship recipients will live for two years in the chemistry and physics living learning community, a residence hall dedicated to students with interests in sciences. The same residence hall houses the ECU Honors College and bio-excellence living learning communities.
The living learning community will be “enriched by the presence of first generation college students and will continue to provide rewards to ECU beyond the funding period,” said Danell.
“The students we educate and mentor will share their experiences, encouraging many more young scientists to pursue an education in scientific disciplines, which will provide a strong foundation for innovation and economic development not just regionally but nationally.”
Scholars will be encouraged to demonstrate a commitment to local and regional science activities, thereby instilling a sense of civic responsibility and awareness.
Recipients may qualify for up to $10,000 in additional funding during their sophomore, junior and senior years, which could lead to a total of $35,000 in four years at ECU.
High school students intending to major in chemistry or physics may apply for one of the 2015-16 scholarships by contacting Anthony Kennedy at 252-328-9816 or kennedyan@ecu.edu.