Airman's Daughter Awarded Scholarship Promoting STEM Education

The Air Force Association (AFA) and First Command Education Foundation (FCEF) awarded the $25,000 AFA Dependent Scholarship to a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston.

Robert E. (Bob) Largent, AFA Chairman of the Board; L. Boyd Anderson, AFA Vice-Chairman for Aerospace Education; Robert Slaughter, First Command Educational Foundation Board of Directors; and Lt. Gen. Michael Dunn (Ret.), AFA President, presented the scholarship to Cadet Rachel Kolesnikov-Lindsey of Lumberton, New Jersey, at the Air and Space Conference.

The scholarship, combined with her AFROTC activities, will pay for her entire year of materials engineering studies. Rachel has maintained a 3.57 GPA. Raised in a single parent home, she learned hard work and dedication through the example of her mother, a Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force.

"The Air Force Association emphasizes the importance of education in science, technology, engineering and math," Anderson said. "Rachel has a bright future, and we're proud of her."

"The future of the Air Force requires the continued development of the best in both technology and people. This AFA scholarship showcases that goal," Dunn said.

"First Command Educational Foundation is committed to improving quality of life through higher education," said Vickie C. Mauldin, Executive Director, FCEF, "We are proud of our 24-year history of awarding scholarship grants to promote education for our military families."

Initial funds for the AFA Dependent Scholarship program are provided by First Command Educational Foundation with a $125,000 pledge over five years. FCEF 's mission is to promote education as the foundation to a productive society through scholarships and financial literacy programs dedicated to financial wellness and independence.

AFA advocates education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), to develop the skills that are crucial to air power, national security and economic vitality. The scholarship is awarded on consideration of both merit and need. It highlights STEM fields of study and is available to dependents of Airmen in the active Air Force, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve Command.
 

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