Clark School Press Release Story

Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, Bethesda Chapter, Renews Support for University of Maryland Engineering and Computer Science Students from Montgomery County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  March 15, 2011

CONTACT:
Melissa Corley
301 405 6501
mcorley@umd.edu

COLLEGE PARK, Md.--The Bethesda Chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) has pledged $200,000 to provide scholarships to engineering and computer science students with financial need from Montgomery County attending the University of Maryland, College Park.

"This generous commitment from AFCEA, Bethesda Chapter, helps academically talented students from Montgomery County achieve success in the challenging curriculum at the University of Maryland, College Park," said Darryll Pines, dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering. "By reducing students' financial concerns, AFCEA scholarships will allow students to focus on their studies, along with the tremendous research and entrepreneurship opportunities we offer, and go on to secure great jobs that strengthen our state's competitiveness."

The chapter funds its scholarship program through contributions from local IT companies who do business with the federal government.

"The success of the United States in a global marketplace is largely dependent upon the need for more students in science and technology," said Steve Krauss, president of AFCEA Bethesda. "We recognize the vital role area colleges play in providing high quality and affordable education for the next generation of leaders."

In addition to providing financial support, AFCEA Bethesda will work with the schools to host job fairs and post full- and part-time job openings for students. AFCEA Bethesda scholarship recipients will be honored at an annual scholarship and donor recognition breakfast on May 26, 2011, at the Bethesda North Marriott and Conference Center in Bethesda, Md.

AFCEA Bethesda is a Clark School Corporate Partner Company.

More Information: For more information about the scholarship and how to contribute, visit
http://www.afceabethesda.com/philanthropy/scholarshipfund.aspx

About the A. James Clark School of Engineering

The Clark School of Engineering, situated on the rolling, 1,500-acre University of Maryland campus in College Park, Md., is one of the premier engineering schools in the U.S., with graduate and undergraduate education programs ranked in or near the Top 20. In 2012, the Clark School was ranked 14th in the world by the Institute of Higher Education and Center for World-Class Universities in its Academic Ranking of World Universities. Three faculty members affiliated with the Clark School were inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2010.

The school, which offers 13 graduate programs and 12 undergraduate programs, including degree and certification programs tailored for working professionals, is home to one of the most vibrant research programs in the country. The Clark School garnered research awards of $171 million last year. With emphasis in key areas such as energy, nanotechnology and materials, bioengineering, robotics, communications and networking, life cycle and reliability engineering, project management, intelligent transportation systems and aerospace, the Clark School is leading the way toward the next generations of engineering advances.