NSF grant funds undergraduate scholarships

2:50 p.m., Oct. 8, 2003--Future computer scientists, engineers and mathematicians at UD, who meet certain qualifications, may now be eligible for undergraduate scholarships, thanks to a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant of $399,170 effective from Sept. 15, 2003, to Aug. 31, 2007.

The committee overseeing UD’s new “Undergraduate Scholarships for Advancing Education in Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering” project was organized by Conrado Gempesaw, vice provost for academic and international programs (left) and includes (from left): Michael Vaughan, assistant dean of engineering and director of RISE (Resources to Insure Successful Engineers); Johnie Burton, director of financial aid; David Olagunju, associate professor of mathematical sciences; and M. Sandra Carberry, chairperson of computer and information sciences, who chairs the committee.

The NSF Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Scholarships are for students who demonstrate academic potential or ability and financial need.

Entitled “Undergraduate Scholarships for Advancing Education in Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering,” the UD project will be run by a committee, chaired by M. Sandra Carberry, chairperson of computer and information sciences. Committee members are Johnie Burton, director of financial aid; David Olagunju, associate professor of mathematical sciences; Olufemi Olowolafe, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Michael Vaughan, assistant dean of engineering and director of RISE (Resources to Insure Successful Engineers).

“The scholarship program will build on the many special programs available at the University of Delaware and will provide opportunities and financial resources for students, who meet the eligibility criteria,” Carberry said. “Approximately 30 scholarships will be awarded each year beginning in the spring semester. The scholarships will free students from outside jobs so they have time for enrichment activities, serving as lab assistants, participating in undergraduate research or taking part in special projects, like the solar energy decathlon teams. Summer internships will be encouraged.

“The committee represents different interests on campus and has worked hard to put the program together, and we will coordinate our activities with programs on campus, such as RISE, the McNair program and the Undergraduate Research Program, and with local industries.

“The goal of the scholarship program is to increase the number of students who complete a major in computer science, engineering or mathematics and to encourage them to pursue graduate study,” she said.

For more information, visit [www.cis.udel.edu/~carberry/CSEMS].

Article by Sue Moncure
Photo by Kevin Quinlan

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