Scholar Wins U.S. Department of Homeland Security Scholarship
June 14, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For the second consecutive year, a junior College Park Scholar at the University of Maryland has won a major national scholarship from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security.
Kevin Valsi is one of 50 undergraduates nationwide to receive this scholarship coordinated by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. The scholarship will cover all tuition and fees, a monthly stipend, plus a summer internship for a maximum of two years.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, this educational program, now in its second year, "will support the development and mentoring of the next generation of scientists as they study ways to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recovery efforts from attacks that occur."
"We are extremely pleased to welcome these individuals as part of our team to explore the future scientific possibilities for protecting our nation against terrorism," said Secretary Tom Ridge.
A resident of Mt. Airy, Md., Valsi is pursuing a double major in psychology, and criminology and criminal justice. This summer, he holds an internship – unrelated to his scholarship – with the National Institute of Mental Health where he is working on a project exploring the biological bases of bipolar disorder. Valsi has just completed his College Park Scholars citation in Life Sciences and is expected to graduate in May 2006. The Homeland Security scholarship will cover his junior year and can be extended through his senior year.
Jamie Hurley, a College Park Scholar in the Environmental Studies program, was awarded a Homeland Security Scholarship in its inaugural class last year. This summer, she is interning at the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center, in Groton, Ct., working on aquatic nuisance species. Ms. Hurley is an entomology major; she resides in Beltsville, Md.
College Park Scholars is a collaboration of twelve programs comprising a multi-disciplinary learning community. Scholars are academically and creatively talented freshmen and sophomores, eager to explore their future personal and professional roles. Each program prepares students academically for competitive research opportunities and challenging internships. Through civic engagement, team projects and other programs, Scholars examine and develop their personal character.
