Newsroom

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Native Americans in Marine and Space Science Program at Oregon State University, an innovative initiative to help students succeed in college and pursue careers in science, has received a 2004 Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

The award was made today by John Marburger, science advisor to President Bush. It was one of 14 awards made across the nation to nine individuals and five institutions. Judith Vergun, director of the program at OSU, accepted the award, which is administered by the National Science Foundation, and includes a $10,000 grant and commemorative certificate.

This Presidential Award recognized "individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to mentoring students and increasing the participation of minorities, women and disabled students in science, mathematics and engineering," officials said, and "leaders in the national effort to more fully develop the nation's human resources."

White House officials said that the approaches used by the OSU program "are so successful that many organizations seeking to develop their own mentoring programs in mathematics, science, engineering and technology, are replicating them."

At OSU, this program, which began in 1990, is operated by the College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, and supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and Oregon Space Grant Consortium.

The objective of the Native Americans in Marine and Space Science Program is to encourage students to remain in school, graduate, and hopefully pursue careers in science, especially marine and aerospace related fields. It includes support for an apprentice experience at OSU in which students earn money while working in original scientific research and aerospace-related projects. Funds also support college students doing outreach to younger Native American students.

The success rate of the program has been impressive - 95 percent of participants receive their undergraduate degrees and 53 percent have continued work in graduate school. The program includes courses such as the ecosystem science of Pacific Northwest Indians, a "salmon camp" summer research experience, graduate study of traditional ecological knowledge, and other initiatives. Outreach efforts are begun before students go to college and mentoring and networking continued after they graduate.