FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
A.J. Guenther
ConnellyWorks, Inc.
703-721-0541
aj@connellyworks.com

Washington, DC — May 9, 2006 — The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association’s (AFCEA) DC Chapter, a non-profit association focused on promoting higher education in the hard sciences, mathematics, computer technology, and engineering, today announced its 2006 scholarship recipients.  The chapter selected 13 seniors from 12 high schools throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area for their outstanding performance.  The AFCEA DC Chapter is committing a total of $78,500 to its 2006 scholarship program, bringing the Chapter’s donations to $1,472,000 since 1989.

    “Demands for highly qualified workers in the areas of Information Technology (IT), engineering, mathematics, and science are greater today than at any other time in history,” said Paul Brubaker, President, AFCEA DC Chapter.  “The AFCEA DC Chapter is committed to ensuring that the Washington-metro area remains at the forefront of this market.  We are pleased to honor the hard work, dedication, and motivation that our 2006 scholarship awardees have demonstrated, and wish them luck in their future endeavors.”

    As part of AFCEA International, the DC Chapter supports a comprehensive scholarship program promoting all-around academic excellence and higher education in hard sciences, mathematics, computers, IT, and engineering.  To date, the AFCEA DC Chapter’s scholarship program has helped send 232 students from over 80 Washington, DC area high schools to roughly 53 different U.S. colleges/universities.  Students are selected based on academic achievements, school activities, letters of recommendation, part-time work, and community/civic activities.  The AFCEA DC Chapter raises funds for the scholarship program by hosting year round events and by securing corporate donations from its member base.

The 2006 scholarship winners include:

2006 Scholarship Award Winners (Listed by Field of Study)

 Aerospace Engineering

• Jonathan Brian Elliott, Colonel Zadok Magruder HS – Maryland, University of Maryland

Biomedical Engineering

• Diana Christine Burk, West Potomac HS – Virginia, Northwestern University

• Abhishek Dhar, Montgomery Blair HS – Maryland, Northwestern University

Chemical Engineering

• Jessica Moreen Brown, Friendship-Edison Collegiate – District of Columbia, University of  Delaware

Chemistry

• Thuan Nguyen, Wheaton HS – Maryland, American University

Civil Engineering

• Brianne Frances Connolly, Stonewall Jackson HS – Virginia, Duke University

Electrical Engineering

• Nicholas James Kaminski, Bishop Dennis O’Connell HS – Virginia, Virginia Tech

• William Lu, Thomas S. Wootton HS – Maryland, University of California

Engineering

• Travis Weston Halbert, James W. Robinson HS – Virginia, Duke University

• Phuong Hu, TC Williams HS – Virginia, George Mason University

Mechanical Engineering

• Jonathan Robert Carr, Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology HS – Virginia, Tufts University

• Jordan C. Goldstein, Montgomery Blair HS – Maryland, Duke University

Special Recognition

• Maya F Cyrus, Archbishop Carroll HS – District of Columbia, one time special award of $500.00 for books

    The scholarship presentation will take place at the AFCEA DC Chapter luncheon meeting on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at the Pentagon City Ritz Carlton from 12:00 – 1:30 pm.  The luncheon is for attribution and all press are welcome to attend.  Please RSVP to A.J. Guenther at 703-721-0541 or aj@connellyworks if you are interested in attending.

About AFCEA DC Chapter

The AFCEA DC Chapter represents the professional communications, electronics, intelligence, and information systems community.  The Chapter holds regular luncheon meetings that provide a forum in which government, association, and industry leaders can meet to exchange ideas and concepts, discuss current problems and solutions, and identify future requirements in all technical disciplines.  The AFCEA Forum encourages and enhances open dialogue essential to national and international cooperation and security.  These monthly meetings feature individual and panel speakers that cover current topics in industry.  For additional information on the DC Chapter’s programs and activities, go to www.afceadc.org.

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