Engineering Scholarships Available from WSSC

Engineering students from Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in search of additional scholarship opportunities still have time to submit their application for this year’s Commissioners’ Scholarship. It is not too late; the deadline to apply is June 1.

This year, WSSC is asking the region’s future engineers to write about the impact of climate change on the utility to earn this year’s scholarship. The essays comprise a major component of the application to win a $1,000 scholarship and priority consideration in WSSC’s paid summer internship program.

The engineering scholarships are awarded annually to college students who reside in WSSC’s service district and are enrolled in an accredited program at a college or university that leads to an engineering degree. Students can be enrolled in a school outside of the sanitary district but must permanently reside in either Prince George’s or Montgomery County, Maryland. Up to two new scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each may be awarded and winners are eligible for additional awards of $1,000 each year for up to four consecutive years.

“The scholarships exemplify our commitment to education and to STEM,” said Omar Boulware, Commission Chair. “WSSC cultivates and invests in our region’s future talent in a variety of ways from elementary school through college and hopefully beyond… as we hope these students will want to come back and pursue careers at WSSC.”

Advocates, environmental and energy groups, and government agencies agree that climate change will continue to significantly impact the world’s natural resources. The next generation of engineers will need to develop a plan to address specific challenges to the most precious resource, our drinking water supply.

To qualify for the 2015 scholarships, applicants must:

• Provide proof of permanent residency in WSSC’s service district;
• Be enrolled full time in a degree program at an accredited college or university that leads to an engineering degree in one of the following areas: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Material Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science/Engineering; and
• Write an essay examining climate change, in 1,500 words or less.

Essay topic:  What does climate change mean to WSSC, a water/wastewater utility in the Mid-Atlantic Region, over the next 25 years?
“It has always proven interesting to read the thoughts of our future engineers about topics that directly affect our utility and its ratepayers,” says Gary Gumm, WSSC Chief Engineer and currently Acting Chief Operating Officer. “Many captured thoughts have turned out to be very insightful and not always from a point of view that one might expect,” continued Gumm. “I am looking forward to reading what our applicants think about climate change and what they think it will mean to WSSC.”

In addition to the essay and proof of residency, all applicants must submit a cover letter, official transcript and two letters of reference. Applicants may apply online via the WSSC website or by mail to the attention of WSSC Corporate Secretary Sheila Finlayson, Esq., WSSC, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, Maryland 20707. Submission deadline is Monday, June 1, 2015. For more information, access to the online application and detailed eligibility rules, visit www.wsscwater.com/engscholar.

About Krista Brick

Krista Brick is a multi-media journalist with Montgomery Community Media.

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