AFCEA DC AWARDS 18 SCHOLARSHIPS TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL, COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Association Invests $123,500 to Promote Higher Education in Technology and the Hard Sciences

Washington, DC — May 5, 2009 — The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association’s Washington, DC Chapter (AFCEA DC), a non-profit association focused on promoting higher education in the hard sciences, mathematics, computer technology, and engineering today announced its 2009 scholarship recipients. The Chapter selected 18 students from 15 high schools and one community college throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area for their outstanding performance. AFCEA DC is committing a total of $123,500 to its 2009 scholarship program, bringing the Chapter’s total commitment to $1,804,500 over the past 20 years.

“AFCEA DC is focused on helping to shape the science and technology professionals of the future,” said Warren Suss, President, AFCEA DC. “As the current economic climate seems to worsen by the day, science and technology opportunities remain strong. These positions will be vital to the nation’s recovery. We applaud our 2009 scholarship winners for their performance and initiative, and look forward to their participation in this important community upon graduation.”

As part of AFCEA International, AFCEA DC supports a comprehensive scholarship program promoting all-around academic excellence and higher education in hard sciences, mathematics, computers, IT, and engineering. To date, AFCEA DC’s scholarship program has helped send 282 students from 98 Washington, DC area high schools onto higher education at 64 U.S. colleges/universities. High school students are selected based on academic achievements, school activities, letters of recommendation, part-time work, and community/civic activities for the $7,000 scholarships. The $3,500 one year scholarship is awarded to students leaving two-year community colleges to attend four year degree programs.

AFCEA DC raises funds for the scholarship program by hosting year round events and by securing corporate donations from its member base.

The 2009 scholarship winners include (listed by field of study):

Biochemistry

• Kathleen Javato Ferraren, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology, University of Virginia

Biomedical Engineering

• Arfa Nawal Aijazi, South Lakes HS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Benjamin Shao-Lung Stan, W.T. Woodson HS, Duke University

Chemistry

• Sumit Malik, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology, Harvard College

Computer Engineering

• James Gregory Begemann, Benjamin Banneker HS, Hampton University

• John C. Doherty, School Without Walls, Purdue University

• Carol Doreen Rogan, Tuscarora HS, University of Maryland

Computer Science

• Christina Alane Davis, Gwyn Park HS, North Carolina A&T University

• Stephen Charles Hammack, Battlefield HS, Rochester Institute of Technology

• Melinda Yvonne Roderick, Osbourn Park HS, Brigham Young University

• James Andrew Schwinabart, Park View HS, Virginia Tech

• Jeffrey Daniel Thomas, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($500 award for books)

Electrical Engineering

• Kossivi Wody Edji, Montgomery College, University of Maryland

• Sharnita P. James, Dunbar HS, University of Virginia

Engineering

• Ryan Matthew Bercaw, Gaithersburg HS, Virginia Tech

• Sarah Suzanne Germain, Chantilly HS, Princeton University

Mathematics

• Alan Paul Donehoo, Loudon County HS, University of Virginia

• Therese Eileen McCabe, Oakcrest School, University of Virginia

Mechanical Engineering

• Theresa Lyn McCullough, Seton HS, Virginia Tech

• Willie J. Reddick, De Matha HS, Morehouse College ($500 award for books)

The scholarship presentation will take place during the AFCEA DC luncheon on Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Pentagon City Ritz Carlton from 12:00 – 1:30 pm. The scholarship winners will be introduced by Vice Admiral Nancy Brown, Director, Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems (J6), Joint Chiefs of Staff and the luncheon will feature a keynote presentation by Vice Admiral Stephen Stanley, Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment (J8), Joint Chiefs of Staff.