Wayne Steen Memorial scholarship recipients

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At the Minority Engineering Program's banquet in April, Kelan Berry was awarded the prestigious Wayne Steen Memorial MEP Scholarship for the 2009-10 year. Kelan said he considers this "the greatest honor," for he understands the significance of the memorial fund established by the man whose name his scholarship bears. Kelan, a senior industrial engineering major from Oklahoma City, was introduced to students from OU's industrial engineering program during a high school physics class. He was impressed with what he learned, so he visited campus. There, he met Ben Lopez, interim diversity and MEP director, making an instant connection with what would become his home away from home. Kelan was selected as an Oklahoma Alliance for Minority Participation in Science, Engineering and Math scholar his sophomore year. He participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program, during which he worked as a lab assistant and gained experience in making presentations on research he conducted. Inspired by his professors and his love for learning, Kelan's ultimate goal is to continue his journey in higher education. He intends to pursue his master’s and doctoral level degrees, thereby equipping him to inspire others from the front of the classroom. Kelan is quick to attribute his success to the diligence and excellence of his peers in MEP, who inspire him each day to work harder than the day before. 

Jesus Avila, a junior electrical engineering major, was the 2008-'09 Wayne Steen Memorial Scholarship recipient. Jesus will graduate in May of 2010. "Receiving the Wayne Steen Award meant to me that I was accepting a part of the Multicultural Engineering Program history and culture. I feel as if Mr. Wayne passed his legacy to me, and I need to continue it for others to follow. I am very grateful and honored," said Jesus. Steen would have been very proud of both these young men.














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