NSF GRANT TO PROVIDE "CSEM" SCHOLARSHIPS AT OLD DOMINION

A recently awarded $400,000 National Science Foundation grant will provide scholarship aid to capable, financially-disadvantaged Old Dominion University students to help them complete the last three years of a bachelor of science program in computer science, engineering technology, or mathematics (NSF-designated "CSEM" areas).

Students with superior academic performance during their first year of college courses in a CSEM field will be encouraged to apply for these $3250 scholarships, some of which will be augmented to $4000 by the University. The program will be heavily advertised in an attempt to persuade students to come to Old Dominion to study for careers in CSEM areas, emphasizing that students who perform well during their first year of study will have the opportunity to compete for significant scholarships. The program will also be used to motivate students already enrolled in CSEM programs to excel in order to increase their chances for a scholarship.

In addition to the financial support CSEM provides, scholarship awardees will be mentored by faculty at Old Dominion University, further increasing the likelihood of successful graduation within three years.

Dr. Stephen A. Zahorian, professor and chair of electrical and computer engineering, is the principal investigator for the grant. Dr. Richard Noren of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Dr. Larry Wilson of the Department of Computer Science are co-PIs. Karen Rostov-Kendall and Ben Kjar of the University Office of Financial Aid also collaborated on the project.

Forty-two Old Dominion students already have benefited from CSEM scholarships through a $220,000 NSF grant awarded in 2000.