Aerospace student receives nationally accredited Air Force scholarship
October 30, 2006
One of Mississippi State’s finest aerospace and ROTC students was awarded the $3,000 Medal of Honor Scholarship for Air Force. Christine Shrudowitz, a senior from Ocean Springs, Miss., received notice in April 2006 of her selection for one of the four prestigious scholarships.
“We were very pleased to have one of out Aerospace Engineering students recognized with the Medal of Honor Scholarship,” said Dean of Engineering, Kirk Schulz. “This is a strong testament to Christine’s leadership and academic abilities, especially since only one such award is given nationally.”
Shrudowitz was honored with an award ceremony where she received her scholarship in September 2006. In attendance was MSU President, Gen. (Ret.) Robert Foglesong, President of the Medal of Honor Foundation, Lt. Gen (Ret.) Kehoe and Jack Lucas, who is the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor for his service in WWII at Iwo Jima in 1945. Lucas presented Shrudowitz with the scholarship.
“Because of this scholarship, I will be able to support myself through my final year of school and commission myself as a second lieutenant in the Air Force,” said Shrudowitz. “As a lieutenant, I hope to work in the Air Force Space Command; and after leaving the Air Force, my goal is to work for NASA in their space flight program.”
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, in conjunction with the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Foundation, award four $3,000 scholarships annually. One is reserved for each of the four military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Each year, recipients are evaluated on his or her demonstration of spirit of courage, selflessness, service to country and the pursuit of excellence in academic and military endeavors as well as extracurricular activities before being considered for the scholarships. The primary criteria for the scholarship selection, however, are demonstration of leadership performance and potential, statement of need and a strong commitment to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The 2006 recipients of the three remaining scholarships were from the University of Arizona, Clarkson University and the University of Pennsylvania.