Scholars: Apply Now For Armstrong Fund

25 Feb Scholars: Apply Now For Armstrong Fund

Regional youth eligible for a four-year science, technology engineer, or math college scholarship

The Neil Armstrong Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for its second round of scholarships. The scholarship was established in 2012 by the Telluride Foundation and family and friends of Neil Armstrong to honor the achievements and character of the late American hero and astronaut.  New scholarships are awarded each year to regional high school students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) education.  The selected students will receive a total commitment of $20,000, to be awarded $5,000 each year for four years, if the student maintains a 3.0 GPA.

Application information can be found on the Telluride Foundation’s website, under the Funds & Initiatives tab, and are due Monday, April 21, at 5 p.m. Applicants must be pursuing a STEM bachelor of science degree and be a senior at one of the following regional high schools: Nucla/Naturita, Norwood, Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Paradox and Mountain School.  The scholarship committee consists of members of the Armstrong family, the Telluride Foundation Board of Directors and staff, and school district administrators. The committee will award one four year scholarship annually based on essay, merit, and need. Applications must be emailed to april@telluridefoundation.org.

The first scholarship recipient, 2013 Telluride High School graduate, Slator Aplin, is currently enrolled at California Polytechnic State University, where he is studying electrical engineering.

“The Neil Armstrong Scholarship gave me access to a phenomenal electrical engineering program, but also has given me the opportunity to experience an entirely new culture here in California,” commented Aplin, “I would not be at this step in my life without this scholarship.”

The Neil Armstrong Scholarship Fund was established with the goal of creating a permanent $1 million endowment fund, from which the interest income would provide annual scholarships as well as support STEM educational efforts in regional schools. Twelve founding families established the fund with initial gifts and multi-year pledges totaling over $650,000. A community outreach and fundraising campaign was held in September 2013, and with the help of a $25,000 anonymous donor matching/challenge grant, the campaign raised over $58,000 towards the fund. The September community outreach and fundraiser included a free screening of Men In Black 3 in Telluride, hosted by the Barry Sonnenfeld, director of the Men In Black series, and Astronaut Dave Scott, Neil Armstrong’s Gemini 8 crewmate.  In addition, the Telluride Foundation Board of Directors awarded $100,000 in Special Initiative Grants to the Fund in 2013, bringing the total Fund amount to $850,000. The Foundation continues to seek pledges and gifts from individual donors to fully capitalize the Fund.  For more information on the Neil Armstrong Scholarship Fund contact Paul Major at the Telluride Foundation at 970-728-8717 or go to: http://www.telluridefoundation.org/index.php?page=neil-armstrong-scholarship-fund

About Neil Armstrong:

Neil Alden Armstrong (August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012) was an American astronaut and the first person to walk on the moon. He was an aerospace engineer, naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor. Before becoming an astronaut, Armstrong was an officer in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean War. After the war, he earned his bachelor’s degree at Purdue University and served as a test pilot at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics High-Speed Flight Station, now known as the Dryden Flight Research Center, where he logged over 900 flights. Armstrong’s second and last spaceflight was as mission commander of the Apollo 11 moon landing, in July 1969. On this mission, Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin descended to the lunar surface and spent two and a half hours exploring, while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit in the Command Module. Along with his crewmates, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Space Medal of Honor, and in 2009 the Congressional Gold Medal.

Neil Armstrong was an 11-year homeowner in Telluride. An avid life-time skier and golfer, Armstrong discovered Telluride and purchased a home after being grounded in Phoenix during the commercial airline service suspension following the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. He and his wife, Carol, rented a car, drove to Telluride and embraced Telluride as their second home. He was also a Board Member of the Telluride Foundation.

About the Telluride Foundation:

The Telluride Foundation exists to create a stronger Telluride community through the promotion and support of philanthropy. It is a nonprofit, apolitical community foundation that provides year-round support for local organizations involved in arts, education, athletics, charitable causes, land conservation and other community-based efforts through technical assistance, education and grant making. As a grant maker, The Foundation awards grants to qualified applicants that serve the people living and working in the Telluride area for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life within the region.

For more information on the Telluride Foundation, visit www.telluridefoundation.org.