AFA’s 2020 Scholarship Recipients Announced

July 7, 2020

July 07, 2020

AFA’s 2020 Scholarship Recipients Announced

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July 7, 2020 (Arlington, Va.) – The Air Force Association (AFA) announced today the 2020 recipients of its Col Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship, Capt Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship, Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships, Lt Col Romeo and Bass Ferretti Scholarship, Col Loren J. and Mrs. Lawona R. Spencer Scholarship, John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship, Delta Dental Grants, Trident University Full Scholarship, three Pentagon Federal Credit Union Pilot Training Scholarships, Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship, and Lt Gen George and Vicki Muellner Foundation Scholarship.

Through these AFA scholarships, caring organizations and individuals help students pursue their dreams of higher education with generous grants. These programs exemplify the lifelong bond of Airmen and the commitment of our supporting community. AFA is proud to present this year’s scholarship recipients and highlight all of their contributions toward furthering the AFA and Air Force missions.

Col Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship program was established to aid minor dependents of (officer or enlisted) Active Duty, veteran, or retired service members; Reservists; or National Guard members of all branches, pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university.

Brandon Michaelis

  • Father is retired AF O-5
  • Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Financial Management at Abeline Christian University

Capt Jodi Callahan Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship provides $1,000 in financial assistance and recognition to an Active Duty, full-time Guard, or Reserve (officer or enlisted) Airman pursuing a master’s degree in a non-technical field.

Alexis Gerst

  • Active Duty O-1, AFMC
  • Pursuing an MBA at Southern New Hampshire University

Jeremy Koch

  • Active Duty O-2, AETC
  • Pursuing and MA in History at Norwich University

Mike and Gail Donley Spouse Scholarships

This program awards $2,500 scholarships annually to encourage Air Force spouses worldwide to pursue higher education.

Megan Samayoa

  • Spouse is Active Duty O-1, AFSPC
  • Pursuing a JD at Harvard Law School

Timothy Higgerson

  • Spouse is Active Duty O-4, AFMC
  • Pursuing a BS in Nursing at Kettering College

Priya Sheth

  • Spouse is DAF Civilian, AFMC
  • Pursuing a BS in Management (Accounting) at University of Massachusetts, Boston

Samantha Nicks

  • Spouse is Active Duty E-5, AFGSC
  • Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Professional Accountancy at Black Hills State University

Corielle Putnam

  • Spouse is Active Duty O-4, AFMC
  • Pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at California Southern University

Laralin Worsham

  • Spouse is Active Duty O-1, AETC
  • Pursuing a Master of Couseling Psychology at Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Lt Col Romeo and Bass Ferretti Scholarship

This scholarship awards $5,000 to minor dependents of Air Force Active Duty, Reserve, or Air National Guard enlisted Airmen pursuing an undergraduate STEM degree.

Anna Harris

  • Father is ANG E-8
  • Pursing a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Auburn University

Col Loren J. and Mrs. Lawona R. Spencer Scholarship

This scholarship provides $5,000 for Air Force personnel (officer or enlisted, Air Force civilian, full-time National Guard and full-time Reserve) to pursue graduate level education in management and administration fields in preparation for senior level leadership roles.

Michael Pasley

  • Active Duty E-8, USAFE
  • Pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Leadership at the University of Charleston, West Virginia

Todd Wirsch

  • Active Duty O-3, AFGSC
  • Pursuing an MBA at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School

Chris Pritchett

  • Reserve O-3, AFRC
  • Pursuing an MBA in Entrepreneurship and MS in Human Resource Management at the University of Colorado, Denver

John C. and Blanche Lee Lindsay Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship provides one $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a child of members of the United States Air Force who are pursuing a college degree.

Ryan Sims

  • Father is retired AF O-4
  • Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Colorado School of Mines

Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship

This $20,000 scholarship is awarded to daughters of U.S. Air Force members pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.

Shanti Mickens

  • Father is AF Veteran, E-4
  • Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering at MIT

Delta Dental Grants

Funded by a grant from Delta Dental, this program provides scholarships and grants to military spouses, military dependents, and transitioning service members for the advancement of oral health and wellness.

Deborah Kim

  • Transitioning service member, AF
  • Pursuing a DDS in Prosthodontics at Arizona State University

Charize Balignasay

  • AF dependent
  • Pursuing a BS in Nursing at the University of Hawaii, Manoa

Boden Albright

  • AF dependent
  • Pursuing a BS in Biology (Pre-Dental) towards a DDS at the University of Washington, Seattle Campus

Caroline Davis

  • AF dependent
  • Pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy at Butler University

Sara Rachon

  • AF dependent
  • Pursuing BS in Biology (Pre-Dentistry) at Utica College

Trident University Full Scholarship

Trident University offers three full-ride scholarships to current AFA members. The scholarship can be applied towards bachelor’s and master’s programs at Trident University and is available to both current and prospective students.

Amanda Molina

  • AF Civilian, San Antonio, TX
  • Will pursue a master’s degree in Aviation Education

Mollie Eason

  • ANG O-1, Kingston, TN
  • Will pursue a master’s degree in IT Management

Pentagon Federal Credit Union Pilot Training Scholarships

Sponsored by Pentagon Federal Credit Union, this scholarship is available to AFA members to pursue pilot training towards a private pilot’s license. The award will be for a maximum of $10,000 and applicable to aircraft rental and instructor fees at a training facility of the recipient’s choice.

Dominic Ramire

  • AFROTC Cadet, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan
  • Will train in Ann Arbor, MI

Etchu Tambe

  • E-3, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Will train in Medford, NJ

Jennifer Strong

  • AFROTC Cadet, pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Mesa Community College
  • Will train in Chandler, AZ

Destin Flight Works Pilot Training Scholarship

Funded by Vertol, this program offers one AFA member per year a scholarship to attend pilot training courses leading to a private pilot’s license at the Destin Flight Works school located in Destin, Florida. The amount will be limited to $10,000 towards instructor training and aircraft rental.

Daniel Blair

  • E-6, pursuing a BS in Aviation at Liberty University

Lt Gen George and Vicki Muellner Foundation Scholarship

This program assists cadets who are members of either the Arnold Air Society or Silver Wings. Two $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually.

Makayla Bacon

  • Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Language and Literature at the University of Virginia

Peter Kosanovich

  • Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Yale University

Learn more about AFA awards at https://www.afa.org/education/scholarships.

The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support our Airmen, Space Force Professionals, and their Families; and to remember and respect our enduring Heritage.

Contact:
Bridget Dongu
Director, Communications
Air Force Association
703-247-5818
bdongu@afa.org