Wilson College was recently awarded $313,275 in grant funds from the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program.

The grant will be used to provide scholarships of up to $10,000 a year for full-time female students majoring in biology or chemistry.

The scholarships will be available beginning with the fall 2008 semester, according to Linda Brittain, Wilson dean of financial aid and senior enrollment associate. She said as many as 10 students could receive up to $10,000 a year for three years under the program.

“These scholarships will provide needed financial resources to students who excel in biology or chemistry,” said Brittain. “The funds will augment other Wilson College scholarship aid and help students reduce reliance on student loans.”

In addition to enrolling full time at Wilson and majoring in biology or chemistry, students would have to show previous academic achievement in science and math, be a United States citizen or eligible non-citizen, demonstrate financial need and complete an application process to be eligible for the scholarships.

Scholarship recipients will be chosen by a college selection committee.

Scientists needed

Nationally, women are still underrepresented in careers in biology and chemistry, and the scholarships will help address the need to attract more women to those fields, according to Dr. Dana Harriger, Wilson assistant dean, biology professor and head of the Sciences Division.

“This grant from the NSF is an investment to ensure strong undergraduate science education by supporting Wilson’s continued mission of educating women in science, math and technology,” Harriger said. “This type of funding is critical to ensure that academically qualified students have the type of undergraduate education that motivates them to pursue careers in the sciences.”

Scholarship recipients will also have additional opportunities for research, internships, leadership and networking with others in industry and higher education, Brittain said.

New facilities

Wilson is committed to educating women in science, math and technology. The college broke ground in October on a $25 million construction project to expand and renovate its existing science center. The new Complex for Science, Mathematics and Technology is expected to open for classes in January 2009.

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