PR # 64             October 28, 2003

RVCC NAMES 26 GALILEO SCHOLARS FOR 2003-2004 YEAR

Twenty-six students at Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) have been awarded the Galileo Scholarship for the 2003-2004 school year. The annual scholarship is awarded to students interested in majoring in science, math, engineering and technology.

The Scholars were welcomed Monday, October 27, at the Second Annual Galileo Scholars Luncheon at RVCC. The event included remarks from Congressman Rush Holt (D-District 12) and featured keynote speaker Maxine Ballen, president of the New Jersey Technology Council.

Congressman Holt told the Scholars at yesterday’s luncheon that in the future New Jersey will “have an economy that is based on research and development.” He said that Raritan Valley Community College and the Galileo’s Scholars program are key to meeting the future workforce needs.

RVCC’s Galileo Scholarship is awarded annually to qualified students based on their academic potential and financial need. The scholarships are funded in part by the National Science Foundation; the RVCC Foundation; Aventis Pharmaceuticals; Intersil; Hydromer, Inc.; Verizon; the Goldring Family Foundation; and the Lindemann Family.

The Galileo Scholars meet with industry partners in their field of interest for mentoring and internship opportunities. They also are introduced to the many rewarding careers and job opportunities available in the areas of science, math, engineering and technology.

RVCC provides both in-person and online academic support to the Galileo Scholars, who are assigned to faculty mentors/advisors in each discipline area. The College also assists in linking the Scholars with RVCC’s four-year partner institutions for seamless transfer opportunities to continue their higher education. In addition, a series of science- and math-related activities are held on and off campus to encourage student development in these areas.

The scholarships are part of “The Galileo Project,” an RVCC initiative aimed at promoting educational opportunities in science, math, engineering and technology that the College has launched with a pilot project grant from Aventis Corporation and other corporate sponsors. One of the project’s goals is to dramatically increase the number of high school graduates who pursue science, math, engineering and technology majors.

For further information, e-mail galileo@raritanval.edu or contact Barbara Luby in the Office of Advising and Counseling, 908-526-1200, ext. 8374.

Following is a list of the 2003-2004 Galileo Scholars and their towns of residence:

Sadia Afrin, Somerset

Adrian Ashbourne, Somerset

Carl Burgos, South Bound Brook

Heather Czachur, Piscataway

Samrath Dhaliwal, Basking Ridge

Jessie Friga, Asbury

Tracy Gallicchio, Branchburg

Rieya Henry, Somerset

Gregory Jackson, Somerville

Ishrat Jahan, Franklin Park

Ibrahim Jalil, Somerville

Zeeshan Jalil, Somerville

Mohamed Kaba, Somerset

Syeda Kazmi, Franklin Park

Sunil Khatkar, Basking Ridge

Yenan Li, Clinton

Maria Mardoni, Bedminster

Cherian Mathew, Bridgewater

Melissa McKenna, Whitehouse Station

Shahzeb Munir, Somerset

Nemanja Nikitovic, Glen Gardner

Kathleen O'Toole, Lebanon

Faranak Pakzad, Green Brook

Dharmesh Patel, Edison

Christopher Pennucci, Clinton

Cynthia White, Edison

RVCC, located in North Branch, NJ, and serving Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for 30 years, offers more than 70 associate degrees and certificates. In addition, customized training programs and non-credit courses are available for those seeking personal and professional development.

The College is committed to offering a quality and affordable education through effective teaching, liaisons with the community’s businesses and state-of-the-art technology. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.