For Immediate Release
August 29, 2012

AFA Announces 2012 Capt. Jodi Callahan Memorial Graduate Scholarship Recipients

Arlington, VA – The Air Force Association (AFA) today announced the selection of SSgt Evelyn Nicholson and TSgt James Lloyd for the 2012 Captain Jodi Callahan Memorial Graduate Scholarship.

SSgt Nicholson is pursuing a master’s in Business Administration from American Military University. She currently in serving at Osan Air Base in South Korea in Emergency Management Plans & Operations. SSgt Nicholson plans to use her skills developed through her master’s program to become a more effective leader at the tactical level and help improve business operations within the Air Force.

TSgt Lloyd is pursuing a master’s degree in Management from the American Military University. Currently he serves in the selectively manned 25th Space Control Range and is responsible for maintaining over $58 million worth of Air Force systems and equipment at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. TSgt Lloyd plans to use his education courses to enhance his skills relevant to his Air Force Career. He believes many of the courses will contribute to becoming an effective leader as well.

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.

“AFA genuinely appreciates the generosity of the Callahan Family, who continue to support the academic endeavors of airmen each year,” said Sandy Schlitt, AFA’s Chairman of the Board. “We congratulate this year’s recipients and commend them for both their exceptional work in the Air Force and their work ethics in pursuit of higher education.”

“Jodi was both a devoted Airman and scholar. At the time of her death, she was pursuing her second master's degree at George Washington University. Both this program and her Masters of Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University were off duty education initiatives supported in part by the Air Force,” said the Callahan Family. “It takes a lot of determination and hard work to find that right balance of life, scholarship and career. To recognize these airmen’s achievements and to contribute to their academic growth in the name of our daughter gives us great pleasure. We wish them the best of luck.”

“With this scholarship, we are able to provide a great level of support to airmen while continuing to honor the memory of Capt. Callahan,” said Buck Buckwalter, Acting President of AFA. “As supporting airmen in their academic endeavors is a strong component of AFA’s mission, we are pleased to be able to contribute to their ambitions.”

For more information, contact Lynette Cross at 703.247.5800 ext 4807 or LCross@AFA.org.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, we:

• EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure U.S. national security.
• ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.
• SUPPORT the Total Air Force family and promote aerospace education.

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