The State College of Florida Foundation showcased Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) at its annual scholarship luncheon Wednesday, a day after National STEM/STEAM day. State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) students at the luncheon were also treated to information on the STEAM programs offered at SCF and a performance by the SCF Presidential String Quartet.
Shay Atluru, president and CEO of DTC Engineering, announced that the Atluru Family Foundation will donate another $10,000 in scholarships, bringing the total to $35,000, for the DTC Engineering Opportunity Scholarship for students in Gator Engineering at SCF and the A.S. Engineering program. In an introduction video at the luncheon, Atluru talked about the importance of technical education and the STEM fields. He also emphasized the importance of community investment in education. His company provides scholarships and internships to local students, who he hopes will return to the community and work as engineers.
Ella Starr and Kyle Stone, students who both transferred from SCF to the University of Florida to pursue degrees in engineering, talked about the things they did at SCF that helped make them successful, including extracurricular activities and internships.
Starr said internships allow students to discover what they love to do and to cull out what they’re not as passionate about. Stone, who worked as an intern at Sun Hydraulics, said he started at SCF because of the affordability and small class sizes.
Donors and scholarship recipients sat together at the luncheon, an important connection said Starr, who met her scholarship donor at the 2014 luncheon, was able to offer a personal thank you. The annual scholarship luncheon allows donors to meet the students they help, showcases SCF’s academic programs and creates an opportunity to raise more money for scholarship needs.
For more information on scholarships contact Allison Nash at nasha@SCF.edu or 941-752-5653. To support the SCF Foundation, contact Barbara Bourgoin at bourgob@SCF.edu or 941-752-5398.
