For Immediate Release
August 4, 2011

AFA Awards the 2011 Capt. Jodi Callahan Memorial Graduate Scholarship

Arlington, VA – The Air Force Association (AFA) today announced the selection of Air Force Technical Sergeant Edward M. Thomas Jr. for the 2011 Captain Jodi Callahan Memorial Graduate Scholarship.

Sergeant Thomas is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Currently he serves as the Defense Paralegal for Tinker AFB, Oklahoma where he is responsible for ensuring defense services for more than 6,900 active duty airmen. Sergeant Thomas plans to use the skills of understanding multicultural individual and group behaviors learned throughout his studies and incorporate them into future duties within the Air Force.

AFA awards the $1,000 Callahan Memorial Scholarship annually to deserving Air Force active duty, full time Guard or Reserve pursuing a non-technical Master’s Degree.

Captain Jodi Callahan was an AFA National Director and a Trustee of the Aerospace Education Foundation. She was a life member of AFA. This scholarship is possible because of the generous donations of her family and friends through the Jodi Callahan Memorial Fund.

“The Air Force Association is always proud to support airmen in their academic endeavors,” said Sandy Schlitt, AFA Chairman of the Board. “The tenacity for knowledge illustrated by Sergeant Thomas is most admirable, and we wish him the best of luck in his career.”

“Jodi was very vigorous about continuing her studies. At the time of her death, she was pursuing her second master's degree at George Washington University. Both her Masters of Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and the program at George Washington were off duty education initiatives supported in part by the Air Force. We are honored to help support Sergeant Thomas’ noteworthy effort and desire to pursue his Master’s,” said the Callahan Family.”

“We offer our congratulations to this year’s recipient of the Jodi Callahan Memorial Graduate Scholarship,” said Mike Dunn, President of AFA. “Sgt. Thomas has done some exceptional work in the Air Force, and we are pleased to be able to contribute to his educational goals while continuing to honor the memory of Capt. Callahan.”

The AFA is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation. AFA has over 200 chapters nationally and internationally representing 120,000 members.

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