Christine Reilly, a senior aerospace engineering major, has been awarded听a $10,000 scholarship听from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF).
Reilly will be presented the award by Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden during a听ceremony at noon Tuesday, Oct. 24, in Andrews Hall.听Worden will also give听a听presentation highlighting听his adventures in space. The event is free and open to the public.
"I first became interested in space watching science fiction shows with my dad as a kid," Reilly听said. "Winning the Astronaut Scholarship provides me with a network of amazing peers听and the chance to follow the legacy of the astronauts by doing something meaningful for humanity."
Reilly has worked for two years in the 听on campus听where she models electrostatic spacecraft interactions. She has also interned as a propulsion engineer, helping increase access to space.
鈥淭he Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has selected an outstanding student to receive this honor," said Bobby Braun, dean of the College of Engineering and听Applied Science. "Christine鈥檚 drive and passion for science and technology exemplify what it means to be a 彩民宝典 engineer.鈥�
The merit-based ASF scholarship is the largest known monetary award of its kind given in the United States to science and engineering undergraduate students. The Mercury 7 astronauts, including Boulder native Scott Carpenter, who died in 2013, created the foundation in 1984. The purpose was to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in science and technology by providing scholarships to the brightest college students pursuing these degrees. Reilly's听Astronaut Scholarship Foundation scholarship听is sponsored by Jill and听Steve Wirth in memory of Scott Carpenter.
Who: Open to the public
What:听Awards and presentation by听astronaut Al Worden
When: Tuesday, Oct. 24, noon
Where: Andrews Hall, main lobby
The Mercury 7 astronauts have since been joined by more than 100 astronauts from the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs who use their joint credibility to encourage students to pursue scientific endeavors to keep the U.S. a leader in technology.
More than $4 million has been awarded in ASF scholarships to date, and Reilly marks the 21st 彩民宝典 recipient.听Since 1995 and including this year鈥檚 recipients, $210,000 of that amount has been disbursed to 彩民宝典 undergraduates, according to Deborah Viles, director of 彩民宝典鈥檚 辞蹿蹿颈肠别.听
Reilly plans to get a master鈥檚 degree in aerospace engineering听and then work to advance the future of space exploration.
"I hope that my work will help make my dream job, starship chief engineer, become a real career for the kids of the future," she said.
彩民宝典 sophomores and juniors currently engaged in research and majoring in math, science or engineering and seeking nomination for an ASF scholarship should email Deborah Viles at topscholarships@colorado.edu.
