NWA Scholarships Awarded

NWA SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED


2008

Meghan K. Mee Awarded the AccuWeather, Inc. Undergraduate Scholarship in Meteorology

Meghan Mee

Meghan K. Mee of Biloxi, Mississippi and a junior at the University of South Alabama is awarded the AccuWeather Inc., Undergraduate Scholarship in Meteorology.

Meghan is an outstanding student (4.0 GPA) who has a demonstrated record of leadership and participation in "above and beyond" activities. She chose the University of South Alabama carefully and was drawn by not only academic excellence but also by opportunities to be able to participate in field work and even commercial meteorological activities. She completed all university requirements to be invited to participate in scientific storm chasing program offered by USA. She also has been active in attending all available weather related conferences and has been asked by the USA Meteorology Department to be the 2009 convention coordinator of the USA sponsored Southeast Coastal & Atmospheric Processes Symposium (SEACAPS).

For her senior project, she will work with the university's Coastal Weather Research Center which provides specialized weather forecasting and consulting services to a wide variety of commercial concerns. A goal for this involvement will be to retain a new client for the Center. Few universities offer such a real-world, commercial meteorological opportunity.

Meghan does not take summers off. She participated in a NASA Development Program this past summer, conducting research of interest for NASA. She presented her findings to NASA at the end of the program. Next summer, she will be working with the National Weather Service on a research project and will present findings in Silver Spring, Maryland. She also participates in numerous professional, leadership, and social organizations.

The NWA Education Committee received 23 applications from outstanding students from across the country for this annual scholarship award. Best Wishes to all individuals who applied! Congratulations to Meghan K. Mee!


Kristen L. Gore Awarded the David Sankey Minority Scholarship in Meteorology

Kristen Gore

Kristen L. Gore of Aiken South Carolina and a senior at North Carolina State University is awarded the David Sankey Minority Scholarship in Meteorology.

Kristen is a two-time winner of a NWA scholarship as she was also awarded the Sankey Scholarship in 2007. Her demonstrated and multi-faceted accomplishments led to this extraordinary occurrence.

She is an outstanding, double-major student who has earned a 4.00 GPA at North Carolina State University. She is not only the highest ranked student in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences but also ranks first of all students in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences! Her well focused plan to enter the climate change arena resulted in her decision to double-major in both meteorology and statistics. She understands the great need to bring good science into the debate and is eager to begin.

Kristen is recognized by faculty members as a student leader who also volunteers for numerous university activities. She has been inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa and the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Societies. She is also a very active member of the Statistics Club, Society of African American Physical and Mathematical Scientists, the National Weather Association, and the American Meteorological Society. Additionally she is a member of the Air Force ROTC and its honor guard.

The NWA Education Committee received 6 applications from outstanding students from across the country for this annual scholarship award. Best Wishes to all individuals who applied! Congratulations to Kristen Gore!


Leejah R. Ross Awarded the Dr. Roderick A. Scofield Scholarship in Meteorology

Leejah Ross

Leejah R. Ross of Arden, North Carolina and a senior at the University of North Carolina - Asheville is awarded the Dr. Roderick A. Scofield Scholarship in Meteorology.

Leejah is an outstanding student who brings a depth of "real-world" experiences to the classroom. Prior to entering the Atmospheric Science Department at UNC-Asheville, she served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force as a weather forecaster for the 36th Rescue Squadron. As a result of key decisions made by her and her team members, she was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for the highly successful evacuation of millions of dollars of helicopter assets from the path of Hurricane Katrina. This and other military experiences convinced her to focus on a meteorological career in tropical weather research.

In addition to completing her undergraduate studies, she is conducting an undergraduate research project on the structure and development of Atlantic hurricanes. As a part of the NASA Ocean Vector Winds research project, she is working to reduce the uncertainties involved in tropical forecasting by enhancing satellite retrieval of hurricane winds. She readily acknowledges the great role Rod Scofield's ground-breaking accomplishments in satellite research have played in her decision to pursue her chosen path in the science of meteorology. Her professors are most impressed with not only her academic abilities (3.88 GPA) but also with her very strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

The NWA Education Committee received 19 applications from outstanding students from across the country for this annual scholarship award. Best Wishes to all individuals who applied! Congratulations to Leejah R. Ross!


Benjamin R. J. Schwedler Awarded the Arthur C. Pike Scholarship in Meteorology

Benjamin Schwedler

Benjamin R. J. Schwedler of LaCrosse, Wisconsin and a senior at Iowa State University is awarded the Arthur C. Pike Scholarship in Meteorology.

Benjamin is one of those truly gifted and talented individuals who has excelled in all aspects of life. He has earned a 4.0 GPA in his meteorology studies and has a 3.99 GPA for all courses. The reason he does not hold a 4.0 in all university courses was the result of "only" earning an "A-" in partial differential equations! He is a NOAA Hollings Scholar, has made the Dean's List all semesters, ranks among the highest 2% of all students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a recipient of the Iowa State University Award for Competitive Excellence since his freshmen year, and is listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges."

His excellent performance is by no means limited to the classroom. Professional activities outside of his studies have focused on operational meteorology activities. He has been very active in both the Central Iowa NWA Local Chapter and in the Iowa State AMS student chapter. He has served as webmaster for both chapters. He was very involved in the planning of last spring's Severe Storms and Doppler Radar Conference hosted by the Central Iowa NWA Chapter. Ben has been very involved in community outreach by participating in weather safety and awareness events, school talks, and science nights at local schools.

During his summer breaks while at Iowa State, Benjamin has served as a student volunteer at the LaCrosse, Wisconsin National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, interned at WKBT-TV in LaCrosse, and worked this past summer at the NOAA/NWS Hydrometeorological Prediction Center in Camp Springs, Maryland. While at HPC, he worked on a real-time object-base precipitation forecast verification system.

Benjamin is also a proven leader. He served as the Vice President of the Inter-Residence Hall Association and acted as liaison between students and the Department of Residence. This position strengthened his leadership and organizational skills.

Benjamin's accomplishments are best summarized in a quote from one of his faculty recommendation letters. "Very few students can claim this amount of high quality academic, extracurricular, and leadership experience so early in their academic careers."

The NWA Education Committee received 14 applications from outstanding students from across the country for this annual scholarship award. Best Wishes to all individuals who applied! Congratulations to Benjamin R. J. Schwedler!

Previous NWA Scholarship Winners:

NWA Arthur C. Pike Scholarship in Meteorology

2001 — Nettie R. Lake – Lyndon State College, VT

2002 — Edward P. Argenta – Lyndon State College, VT

2003 — Matthew Greenstein – The Pennsylvania State University

2004 — Jessica L. Fieux – Florida State University

2005 — Zachary M. Byko – The Pennsylvania State University

2006 — Joel Dreessen – Valparaiso University, IN

2007 — Megan Linkin – University of Maryland


NWA David Sankey Minority Scholarship in Meteorology

2003 — Rebecca Chan – Plymouth State University, NH

2004 — Owen Shieh – Cornell University, NY

2005 — Daniel R. Chavas – University of Wisconsin at Madison

2006 — Cho Hin (Richard) Lam – The Pennsylvania State University

2007 — Kristen L. Gore – North Carolina State University


NWA AccuWeather Undergraduate Scholarship in Meteorology

2004 — Ashley Marie Hayes – Jackson State University, MS

2005 — Michael E. Kurz – University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee

2006 — Nicholas A. Engerer – Ohio University

2007 — Ava Dinges – University of Kansas


NWA Dr. Roderick A. Scofield Scholarship in Meteorology

2007 — Michael E. Kurz – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee