News

WOMEN IN AEROSPACE FOUNDATION  

SELECTS SCHOLARSHIP WINNER FROM CU- BOULDER 

Washington, DC - The Women in Aerospace (WIA) Foundation, Inc., is delighted to announce Ms. Kirstyn Marie Johnson as the recipient of the WIA Foundation Scholarship.  Ms. Johnson, a junior in aerospace engineering sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) will receive a $1,000 scholarship to be applied to the 2012-2013 academic year.  

The Foundation was impressed by her award-winning work with the Colorado Undergraduate Space Research Symposium and with her many volunteer activities, from the CU Engineering Fellows program to Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) to Habitat for Humanity.  In her undergraduate tenure, she has worked on two sounding rocket payloads, an earth-imaging satellite, and on human factors for future exploration missions.

"Ms. Johnson has a strong desire to make an impact on this world, such as by encouraging high school students to pursue engineering degrees and solving the mysteries of outer space for humans to live and work in space," said Debra Facktor Lepore, WIA Foundation President. "She understands that engineers can make a difference and is already making a difference herself and for others."

The WIA Foundation scholarships are funded by generous donations of individuals and corporations around the aerospace community.  The WIA Foundation Board, WIA Board, WIA officers, and several companies continue to contribute ongoing financial support.  This investment is creating an Endowment fund to support the success of the Foundation's programs and ensure the scholarship program continues in perpetuity.   

"The WIA Foundation is grateful to its many supporters who are making our scholarship program possible," Lepore said.  "We are proud to provide opportunities to the next generation of women in aerospace."

The scholarship will be presented at the 27th Annual WIA Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 1, 2012, at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia.  This event draws over 300 people to celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of women throughout the aerospace community.

For more information and specifics about the 2012-2013 scholarship, contact info@womeninaerospacefoundation.org  

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The WIA Foundation's mission is to educate the public about the importance of space exploration and technology and to increase awareness in, and knowledge of, the scientific fields that will develop inventions and intelligence that will lead to improved space travel, satellite technology, and other applications of space use.Established in 2009, the Foundation accomplishes its purpose by providing scholarships to women who study engineering, math, or science at the undergraduate level, thus encouraging women to enter careers in the aerospace field, expanding women's opportunities for leadership in aerospace, and increasing women's visibility in the aerospace community.  

The Women in Aerospace Foundation, Inc. is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.All contributions to the organization are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

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