Dr. Bonnie Dunbar, a former astronaut, will offer scholarships to three Texas A&M University seniors next month. The ceremony aims to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The outreach program, which has invited over 2,000 middle and high school students from across the region, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1. The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation and Texas A&M University Honors will sponsor the program, which will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Rudder Auditorium.
Dunbar holds the John and Bea Slattery Chair and teaches aerospace engineering at Texas A&M’s College of Engineering.She directs the university’s Aerospace Human System Laboratory.
She will give a talk titled “Thinking Outside the Sphere,” recounting her journey to become an engineer, designing the Space Shuttle Thermal Projection System, and flying the ship she helped develop. Her presentation will include highlights from her five space flights, which led to a range of lessons learnt from space travel.
Three Aggie seniors, Amanda Galloway (biomedical engineering), Annaleine Whitson (electrical engineering), and Kevin Le (mathematics), will receive up to $15,000 in scholarships from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.
“My parents always encouraged reading and learning, and believed in the power of education, which has led to opportunities that have made my career possible,” Dunbar told me. “As my Scottish grandfather used to say, ‘Education is your most valuable possession — no one can take it away.'”
Though the ASF grants are among the most generous merit-based monetary scholarships given to undergraduate STEM juniors and seniors, they are prized for more than just the money. Astronaut Scholars receive mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities with industry experts to further their careers. They become lifelong partners with the Foundation.
The ASF, formed by six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts, aims to inspire kids to excel in science. The Foundation’s mission is to support and encourage the United States to maintain its position as a technological and innovative leader. It collaborates with institutions, individual donors, and industry leaders to recognize students in STEM fields.
Caroline Schumacher, president and CEO of the ASF, discussed the Foundation’s influence over its 40-year history, which now gives 70 scholarships yearly to America’s greatest STEM scholars while carrying on the legacy of America’s pioneering astronauts.
“Since its founding, the Astronaut academic Foundation has selected 855 Astronaut Scholars from 48 institution partners, awarding over $9 million in academic assistance. Every scholar is chosen based on merit and demonstrates qualities such as brilliance, ambition, persistence, and a love of research, exploration, and creativity,” she stated. “Astronaut Scholars promote constructive and long-term change in our global community. ASF has proudly associated with Texas A&M from the start, and this year we are thrilled to choose three excellent students as Astronaut Scholars.”
Julie Shepard-Jenkins, daughter of Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard and the first American in space, is donating the third award to mark the ASF’s 40th anniversary.This year’s donation was made to Texas A&M in remembrance of her husband, Greg Jenkins ’75.
The Wyeford Family Foundation commits to a five-year scholarship of $10,000 each year to Texas A&M, which is presented by ASF.
Texas A&M University Honors is the host office and overseer of ASF awards and scholarships. It is part of Texas A&M’s overall effort to unite students and faculty to encourage a network of life-long learners and nationally recognized scholars. Honors courses, scholarly engagements and research programs are available to students through various groups at the University.