The awards will be presented Dec. 12 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Among the people being honored is a college professor who served as a mentor working with disadvantaged urban elementary school students and helped inspire many of them to pursue careers in mathematics, science and technology.
A faculty member at another university worked with minority students, encouraging their interest in science, and co-authored scientific journal articles with them. A mentoring program by a professional organization has helped connect scientists and engineers with disabled people eager to pursue scientific and engineering careers.
A university research laboratory established a state-wide program to help minority students boost their achievement in science, technology, and mathematics.
“The president views these programs as essential to our nation’s future. All barriers must be removed because research is enriched when the broadest possible range of people participate,” said National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Rita Colwell. “Especially at times of national crisis, we need all of our best minds working together to bring science and technology to bear on urgent issues.”
The mentoring awards are administered and funded through the foundation and go to people and institutions who work with students in K-12, undergraduate or graduate level education.
Up to 10 individuals and 10 institutions annually may qualify for the national award, which includes a $10,000 grant and a commemorative presidential certificate. The awardees are considered exemplars for others interested in developing similar programs.
The mentoring awards, which have been given annually since 1996, recognize a long-term commitment to providing opportunities for greater participation in science and engineering by all Americans. The awards do this by honoring those whose personal and organizational activities have increased participation of underrepresented groups in mathematics, engineering and science.
Attachment: Recipients of the 2001 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS AND ENGINEERING MENTORING, 2001
INDIVIDUALS:
Earlene Armstrong, University of Maryland, College Park
Pamela H. Dase, Centennial High School, Columbus, Ohio Public Schools
Clinton H. Dixon, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA
Mary W. Gray, American University, Washington, DC
Judith K. Gwathmey, Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases and Muscle Research, Inc., Boston, MA
Bharati Mehrotra, Tougaloo College, Jackson, MS
Therese Markow, University of Arizona, Tucson, for work done at Arizona State University, Tempe
Max Warshauer, Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Melvin Webb, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
Theodore R. Williams, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
INSTITUTIONS:
Center for Science Excellence Program, Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA
Department of Engineering, University of Denver, Denver, CO
Maryland Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Program, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, Maryland
Mentor Net, Department of Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, California
National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Department of Science & Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
Office of Outreach, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas
Olin-Yale-Bayer New Haven Public School Science Fair Program, New Haven Public Schools, New Haven, CT
Project on Science, Technology, and Disability, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington D.C.
Project SEED and the ACS Scholars, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.
Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado
FACT SHEET
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
Media Contact: William Harms (703) 292-8070/wharms@nsf.gov
Background: Up to 10 individuals and 10 institutions may be selected to receive the annual Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Individual mentors demonstrate outstanding and sustained mentoring and effective guidance to a significant number of students at the K-12, undergraduate or graduate education levels. Institutional presidential mentors are organizations that, through their programs, have enabled a substantial number of students from groups underrepresented in science, mathematics and engineering to successfully pursue and complete relevant degree programs.
History: Science in the National Interest, a 1994 national policy document on science and technology, articulated several goals as part of the Clinton Administration’s effort to propel the nation into the 21st century on a strong scientific and technological foundation. Two major goals of the document are: to produce of the finest scientists and engineers for the 21st century; and, attain scientific literacy for all.
The Administration's commitment is to maximize the nation’s pool of talented, well-educated and highly trained scientists and engineers to help achieve the major goals of Science in the National Interest. This commitment includes a demonstrated effort to produce scientists and engineers in greater quantity and quality by actively increasing the participation of talent that draws fully on all racial/cultural and disability segments of the nation’s population.
Rationale for the Mentoring Program: The President -- through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) -- established PAESMEM to recognize the critical importance played by visible role models, and the power of mentors to affect the development of talent among groups traditionally underrepresented in science, mathematics and engineering.
The awards are implemented by NSTC’s Committee on Education and Training. They recognize outstanding mentoring efforts and programs that have enhanced the participation of individuals from underrepresented groups (minorities, women and persons with disabilities). The awardees serve as role models and leaders in the national effort to develop more fully the nation’s human resources in science, mathematics and engineering.
Administration: The PAESMEM program is administered by the National Science Foundation. Both the individual and the institutional mentoring awards include a $10,000 grant to go along with a presidential commemorative certificate. It is expected that each award will be used to continue the recognized activity.
Program contact:
Marilyn Suiter
(703) 292-5121/msuiter@nsf.gov