VIRGINIA KEY, Fla. – Out of 45 total American Meteorological Society (AMS) undergraduate fellowships and scholarships available this year, five were awarded to students studying meteorology at the University of Miami and its Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. The University of Miami is home to one of only 70 undergraduate meteorology programs in the nation – a relatively small program with roughly 40 students per class, compared to other programs with numbers over 300.
University of Miami students received scholarships or fellowships in three separate categories: Incoming Rosenstiel School graduate student, Angela J Colbert was awarded a 2008/2009 AMS/Industry/Government Graduate Fellowship (sponsored by the AMS 21st Century Campaign); Graduating senior undergraduates; Roque V. Cespedes (Dr. Pedro Grau Undergraduate Scholarship), Jason Y. Hwang (David S. Johnson Endowed Scholarship), and Scott W. Powell (John R. Hope Endowed Scholarship in Atmospheric Science) were awarded 2008/2009 AMS undergraduate scholarships; and Jennifer A. Gahtan was awarded a 2008/2009 AMS Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship (sponsored by SAIC, Center for Atmospheric Physics).
Given on the basis of a student's academic merit, these scholarships are designed to attract promising young scientists to prepare for careers in the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic fields. Serving as a unique example of various sectors of the scientific field joining together to support young, talented minds, the scholarships are sponsored by partners in industry and the government, as well as through named scholarships either established by an AMS member or in memory of someone.
"The strength of our academic program in meteorology and our world-class faculty consistently attract the highest caliber of students to the University of Miami," said Dr. Peter Minnett, professor and chair of the division of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Rosenstiel School. "We are very proud of our student body, their accomplishments, and the immense potential these students bring to the discipline."
The American Meteorological Society administers an array of graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships with the support of its members, corporations, and government agencies nationwide. The fellowships and scholarships help further the education of outstanding graduate and undergraduate students pursuing careers in the atmospheric and related oceanic or hydrologic sciences. To date, AMS has awarded fellowships and scholarships to over 600 students with the total dollars awarded reaching over $4 million.
Founded in the 1940's, the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. For more information, please visit www.rsmas.miami.edu