09-13-04

Nationally acclaimed GEM Fellows join ISU College of Engineering graduate program

AMES, Iowa -Iowa State University's College of Engineering has enrolled three graduate students selected for prestigious national fellowships.

The fellowships are awarded by the National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science (GEM), and were created to encourage underrepresented students to pursue advanced degrees and leadership careers in science, technology, engineering and math. GEM is made up of universities, multi-national corporations and U.S. government laboratories. GEM presented 121 academic scholarships this year; recipients choose among 140 participating universities for their studies.

New GEMS Fellows at Iowa State include:

• Marcus Alexander, Winnsboro, S.C., who is pursuing a doctoral degree in human computer interaction and electrical and computer engineering. His award is sponsored by Intel.
• William Rodriguez, Canovanas, Puerto Rico, who is working toward a master's degree in chemical engineering. His award is sponsored by Dow Chemical.
• Anthony Persaud, San Juan, Puerto Rico, who is pursuing a master's degree in electrical and computer engineering. His award is sponsored by Intel.

The men join three other GEM Fellows already enrolled as ISU engineering graduate students: Leon Pickett, Detroit, a doctoral student in aerospace engineering sponsored by Ford Motor Co.; Oscar Murillo, El Mirage, Ariz., a master's candidate in aerospace engineering sponsored by NASA Dryden; and Miguel Contreras, Chicago, a master's candidate in electrical and computer engineering sponsored by Microsoft.

Masters' students receive GEM stipends of $12,500 for three semesters of study; doctoral students receive $20,000 for the first year. Their major professors, departments and the College of Engineering supplement their remaining educational costs and stipends, according to Nancy Knight, graduate program manager for the college. In addition to the cash awards, the students will be partnered with engineering professors with whom they will conduct research.

Knight was honored in June as GEM's 2004 University Member of the Year. Her campus workshops for interested students and other recruiting efforts have been instrumental in Gem Fellows' decision to enroll at ISU.

"Iowa State is honored to be selected by our newest GEM Fellows, some of the nation's highest-caliber students," said Ted Okiishi, associate dean of the college. "We celebrate their studying with us."

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Quick look

ISU welcomes three new human computer interaction/engineering graduate students who carry with them the title of GEM Fellows.