2024-25 AEM Undergraduate Scholarships

AEM Strategic Initiatives Fund

Emma Nahr

"I’m currently a junior majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. This scholarship will help alleviate some financial burdens to let me focus on my studies and extracurriculars. One day, I hope to work at an agency such as NASA, as I want to contribute to space exploration."

Janagan Ramanathan

"I am in my fifth year of college (third year here at the U) as an aerospace engineering and mechanics student. This scholarship means a lot to me since it helps me continue to focus on my studies and learn everything I can about the field of aerospace engineering. I hope to one day work as an analyst or in research and development working with the maritime and/or aviation industries to develop new ships, submarines, or aircraft."

Chester Gaskell Aeronautical Engineering Scholarship

Jasmine Thayer

"I am currently a senior in the Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics program. Once I graduate, I hope to continue my studies in graduate school. I plan on focusing on computational hypersonics and/or computational gas dynamics. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship and for all the opportunities it brings me. Not only will it help me financially, but it will give me the confidence I need to achieve my future career goals."

Monica Robles

“I am a third year at the University of Minnesota pursuing a major in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Astrophysics. It is a great honor to have been selected as a recipient of the Chester Gaskell Aeronautical Engineering Scholarship. As a student coming from a poor socioeconomic background, I cannot express how thankful I am to have the worry of financial challenges lifted off my shoulders. I am now able to continue to focus on my full-time studies and make the best of my time to not only excel in the classroom, but also continue to explore ways I can apply what I’ve learned to real life experiences that can help me in the future. I hope to one day pursue a higher degree of education that will connect me with larger organizations in a space-related field to make contributions to the discoveries of the world beyond Earth–a dream that is made closer to reality with the help of this scholarship. And with that higher degree, I aspire to travel back to my parent’s home country of El Salvador, a country that is currently in the process of rebuilding its government and society, where there is potential to establish programs from the ground up. I’m aiming to take all the knowledge and experience I acquire from my time at the University of Minnesota and help uplift a new space program, while also looking at ways to teach the young generation that will further help El Salvador’s transition from a third world country to one that’s flourishing.”

CSE Oswald Award

Justin Bunting

“I am a senior in the Aerospace department performing research under Dr. Melissa Green and in conjunction with Dr. Jessica Kozarek from Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory. Our goal is to better understand the flow structures caused by rigid emergent vegetation, specifically the Minnesota invasive reed canary grass, found along the banks of streams. Much of the research in the Environmental Fluid Mechanics field is done in flumes or smaller water tunnels, but thanks to the onsite facilities and the opportunity granted to us by this award, we look to build a full-scale bank model to best understand the presumed erosive properties of the invasive.”

Glenn E. Bowie Educational Fund

Summer Peterson

“My name is Summer Peterson and I am a third year Aerospace Engineering student. Receiving the Glenn E. Bowie scholarship is truly an honor.  I am able to focus on my academics instead of funding my education. This year I am involved in the MinneSat Team and in my free time I enjoy long distance running and attending Minnesota football games! After graduation I plan working in industry and eventually attending graduate school to further my education within Aerospace Engineering. I am so incredibly grateful to be a recipient of the Glenn E. Bowie Scholarship!”

John and Robert McCollom Memorial Scholarship

Liam Normand

"I am a senior studying Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, and I’m minoring in Astrophysics. I am the current Special Projects lead on the UMN Rocket Team, and I also work with the Structures and Propulsion sub-teams. After graduation, I hope to work in a rocketry-related field, as I’ve become very interested in solid rockets and aerospace manufacturing through my involvement on the team. This scholarship will enable me to spend more time engaging with clubs and focusing on my studies."

Feodor Blinnikov

"As a fifth-year in AEM this year, the John and Robert McCollom Scholarship is a tremendous honor! It will help me to keep my focus on coursework and staying on top of my projects with the ARDC Lab and Rocket Team. Upon graduation, I will be joining the Guidance, Navigation, and Control group at the NASA Launch Services Program in Florida, helping with controls analysis and launch operations for unmanned space missions."

Lawrence E. Goodman Scholarship/Fellowship

Jamie Carpenter

"I am currently a senior in the Aerospace Engineering Department. I am extremely grateful to be awarded the Lawrence E. Goodman scholarship as it allows me to focus on my studies and research while easing the financial stress. After graduation, I plan to continue my studies by pursuing a PhD with a focus in solid mechanics."

Louis R. and Dona S. Wagner Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Scholarship

Hunter Anderson

"Hello, I am Hunter Anderson and I am a Junior in Aerospace Engineering. This scholarship means a lot to me as it allows me to focus more on continuing to learn and enjoy school without having to focus so much on finances and loans, which is a huge help. I plan to graduate and hope to work in the commercial sector. I am excited to build on past internship experiences and eventually become an engineer in the field!"

Robert H & Marjorie F Jewett Fund

Nicholas Lawrynk

"I'm in my fourth year and will have a fifth year.  This generous support reminds me that others believe in my potential and dreams.  It is also an affirmation of my hard work and dedication to my major and education.  I hope to one day work for NASA or SpaceX, contributing to the future of space exploration."
 

Ashton Rodgers

"Hello! My name is Ashton Rodgers and I am currently a junior majoring in Aerospace Engineering. My interest in engineering grew over the past few years as I developed a passion for designing and creating things. Planes were always something that fascinated me as a child, so Aerospace seemed like the natural choice. Outside of my studies, I enjoy spending time hiking, playing the piano and biking. After graduation, I plan to spend a few months biking across the US before I begin the professional chapter of my life."

Richard D. and Wyona R. Bartsch AEM Scholarship

Daniel Cockcroft

"I am a senior studying Aerospace Engineering here at the University of Minnesota. I am the Structures lead on the UMN Rocket Team and hope to work in the commercial space or aviation industry. I am beyond thankful and honored to receive the Richard D. and Wyona R. Bartsch scholarship as it will help me stay motivated and focused on school. This also allows me to take more time out on staying active in my clubs and enjoying the community that I’ve found here."

Eric Stoudt

"I am a fourth-year undergraduate student in the AEM department, hailing from just outside of Philadelphia. This scholarship gives more than financial flexibility in my education. It's also a motivator for me as I finish up my undergraduate education, reminding me that hard work pays off. Outside my studies, I play tuba in the University of Minnesota Marching Band (The Pride of Minnesota) and pep band. Over the summer, I worked in a fluid dynamics lab and acted as a proofreader and editor of a course text, both in the AEM department. The experiences I've had at the U of M and in the AEM department have been valuable and will serve me well whether I go to grad school or jump straight into my career."

Maxwell Reed

"I am currently a senior in the aerospace program. This scholarship reduces the financial obstacle on my path as I finish my degree and is a welcome acknowledgment of the work I've put into my studies. After graduation, I plan to get a job doing engineering work, and I am grateful for the investment in my future."

James Kellick

"I'm currently a junior studying AEM. This scholarship has granted me peace of mind and has made me even more excited to continue my path through AEM. I hope to be able to continue into graduate school after my undergraduate degree and feel this scholarship has granted that possibility."