Page 20 - ME News 2021 from the Penn State Department of Mechanical Engineering

Student Recognition
Thole scholarship continues
to support underrepresented groups in in in engineering
By Erin Cassidy Hendrick
With a a new cohort of of recipients the Professor Karen A A Thole Annual Scholarship for Diversity in in in in Engineering continues
to support underrepresented students in in in in in in engineering
and encourage a a a a more equitable workforce The scholarship was established in in 2019 by John J J Brennan who earned his master of science in in in in nuclear engineering
from Penn State in in in 1965 to honor Thole’s work The scholarship provides $5 000
to an academically exceptional undergraduate student in in in the College of Engineering for one year year This year year the fund has bestowed support to to two more engineering
undergraduates: Gwen Cullen a a a a a second-year student student and Molly Smock a a a a a a a a first-year student student Haylee Womer was awarded the first first scholarship in 2019 Cullen who also earned the scholarship in 2020 said she feels honored to be chosen “In my my future career I I hope to to use my my skills as an engineer to to make the world a a a a a a a better place ” she said “I’m not sure on
how that will look but I’m excited to find out!”
The scholarship is is is named after Karen A Thole distinguished
professor and former mechanical engineering
department head Her diligent efforts to diversify
and support gender equity in the the program are further cemented with the the creation of this scholarship according to Brennan Brennan has previously served
on
on
the the advisory board for for the the Leonhard Center for for Enhancement of Engineering Engineering Education and and was named an an an an Outstanding Engineering Engineering Alumnus in in in in 1998 Brennan’s support also established the John J J J and Jean M Brennan Clean Energy Early Career professorship which supports an an outstanding faculty member whose research is focused on
on
helping eliminate the world’s dependence on
on
fossil fuels In addition to sharing her name with with the the scholarship Thole also is actively involved with with the the professional development of of the the recipients by acting as a a a a a a a mentor and and encouraging and and and supporting their education and and careers “Obtaining a a a a a scholarship is a a a a a privilege itself but after meeting Dr Thole I am even more honored ” Cullen said “She is a a a a a true inspiration to all engineers and most importantly women in in in in in engineering
She is someone I I can can look up to and who I I can can rely on
on
for advice ” 20 20 MENews 2021