Five Computer Students Earn Tuition Relief

Westmont’s computer science department awarded scholarships of up to $10,000 to five students. The recipients are first-year students Erick Brownfield and Morgan Vigil, juniors Josh Carver and Toby Lounsbury, and senior Michael Gardner. In addition to financial support, the program includes support for study groups, research experience, participation in conferences and other activities.

A grant from the National Science Foundation funds the scholarships for Westmont students majoring in computer science who demonstrate financial need and academic promise.

“The United States is facing a critical shortage of skilled graduates in computer science,” says Kim Kihlstrom, associate professor of computer science. “Despite outsourcing, this shortage will continue for the foreseeable future.

“There is also a desperate need for women and persons of color in computer science,” says Wayne Iba, associate professor of computer science. “The scholarship program is designed to help meet the need for more computer science graduates.”

Prospective students interested in this scholarship program for the 2009-2010 academic year are encouraged to first apply to Westmont, preferably for early action by Nov. 1, 2008. Then students may apply for the scholarship. The priority deadline for the scholarship application is Jan. 24, 2009.

From the scholarship applicants, 24 finalists will be invited to the Computer Science Connection Feb. 20-21, 2009. This two-day event will allow prospective students to meet Westmont computer science faculty, who will then evaluate the candidates’ promise for a scholarship award. The event involves meals together, community-building exercises, individual and group problem-solving exams, interviews and games.

More information is available at: www.westmont.edu/compscholarship