Contact:
Di Saunders – Office, 503-725-5714; Cell, 503-219-6869
Source:
Jennifer Bosze, Executive Director, AeA Oregon Council: 503-624-6050
Ken Cone, OUS Project Manager, Industry Affairs: 503-725-2918
Bruce Schafer, ETIC Executive Director: 503-725-2915

Part of state's effort to train Oregon engineers and computer scientists to support economic development

PORTLAND, June 14, 2007 – The Oregon University System (OUS) announced today that nine 2007 Oregon high school graduates from across the state have been named recipients of the prestigious AeA Technology Scholarship, supporting their attendance at Oregon public universities this fall. Eight of the 2007 scholarships were sponsored by Intel, and one by FLIR. In addition to the $90,000 in total scholarship support, each student will have the opportunity to apply for internships at top technology companies.

The AeA scholarship program, administered by the OUS, is part of a larger, sustained state effort to “grow our own” engineers and computer scientists, providing Oregon companies with trained professionals and Oregonians with high-skill, high-paying job opportunities. The scholarships provide support to students studying Computer Science, Engineering fields (Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering), Engineering Physics, Physics, and Chemistry. Many organizations committed to supporting Oregon students sponsor the AeA Technology Scholarships, including Intel Corporation, FLIR, Planar Systems, Inc., Timbercon Inc., Barco Medical Imaging Systems, First Tech Credit Union, Frye Electronics, InFocus, Pixelworks Inc., and HP.  Award winners are eligible for an annual renewable scholarship of $2,500, or $10,000 over a 4-year period while enrolled at an OUS institution.

”Congratulations to these talented scholarship recipients and many thanks to Intel and FLIR for supporting this extremely successful industry-academic partnership,” said Bruce Schafer, Director of Industry Affairs for the OUS. “These students will benefit from connections to industry while they're pursuing a high-quality degree program. In just a few years they'll be among Oregon's technology experts and innovators.”

The AeA program (aeascholar.ous.edu) continues to attract talented, academically competitive, and diverse student applicants.  This year’s scholarship recipients come from cities and towns across Oregon, including Hillsboro, Pendleton, Portland, Lakeview, Beaverton, Keizer, Salem, and Springfield. The scholarship is very competitive academically, and encourages female and minority applicants to apply in an effort to increase diversity in engineering and technical professions. Of this year’s recipients, 4 were awarded to female students, and 5 to ethnic minority students. Ken Cone, administrator of the scholarship program at OUS, said, “These students are truly remarkable. In addition to their high academic marks, some have built innovative bridges or catapults, studied neural science, mentored or coached youth, devoted time to community organizations, and much more.”

Intel Corporation initiated the scholarship program in 1999, and it was adopted by the AeA Oregon Council the following year. Since then, $1.85 million in scholarships has been awarded to 185 students. Jennifer Bosze, AeA Oregon Council executive director, says, "This program is such a great benefit to talented Oregon students and to the companies involved. We are committed to encouraging Oregon high school students to attend college in the state and to work in Oregon by providing them with scholarship financial support.”

AeA, founded in 1943 as the American Electronics Association, is a nationwide non-profit trade association that represents all segments of the technology industry and is dedicated solely to helping our members’ top line and bottom line. We do this in partnership with our small, medium, and large member companies by lobbying governments at the state, federal, and international levels, providing access to capital and business opportunities, and offering select business services and networking programs. For more information, contact AeA at (503) 624-6050, or go to AeAnet.org.

Oregon University System comprises seven distinguished public universities, reaching more than one million people each year through on-campus classes, statewide public services and lifelong learning. For additional information, go to www.ous.edu

- OUS -
Eastern Oregon University | Oregon Institute of Technology | Oregon State University | Portland State University
Southern Oregon University | University of Oregon | Western Oregon University | Oregon Health & Science University - Affiliated