News Release 98-049

September 10, 1998

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

The White House today announced ten individuals and eight institutions as recipients of the 1998 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, a three-year-old award administered and funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF). The awardees were honored by President Clinton at a ceremony in the White House.

The awards recognize outstanding individual efforts and organizational programs designed to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in mathematics, engineering, and science in kindergarten-12th grade and through the graduate level.

In 1994, the Clinton Administration's science policy blueprint, Science in the National Interest, stated goals to produce the best-trained scientists and engineers for the 21st century and to enhance scientific and technological literacy of all Americans. The presidential mentoring awards are an outgrowth of these goals.

"Just as the awarding of the Nobel Prize ensures that we honor major accomplishments in science, this mentoring award helps ensure that we will have a well-trained workforce in science, mathematics, and engineering and citizens well prepared for the challenges of the 21st century," said NSF director Rita Colwell.

Up to 10 individuals and 10 institutions annually may qualify for the award, which includes a $10,000-grant and a commemorative presidential certificate.

The mentoring awards recognize a long-term commitment to providing opportunities for greater participation in science and engineering by all Americans. This year's awardees were selected from among 44 nominees for the individual awards and from among 13 institutional nominations.

-NSF-

1998 WINNERS

Individuals:

Winser E. Alexander	North Carolina State University
Sheila E. Browne	Mount Holyoke College
D. Allan Butterfield	University of Kentucky
Billy Joe Evans	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Aubrey Gorbman	University of Washington
Jesse M. Nicholson	Howard University
Su-Seng Pang	Louisiana State University
Armando A. Rodriguez	Arizona State University
Nina M. Roscher	American University
Herbert B. Silber	San Jose State University

Institutions:

AT&T Laboratories, New Jersey

Bryn Mawr College - Department of Physics, Pennsylvania

Stevens Institute of Technology - Office of Women's Programs, New Jersey

Times2, Inc. - To Improve Mathematics, Engineering & Science Studies, Rhode Island

University of California-Berkeley - Coalition for Excellence & Diversity in Mathematics, Science & Engineering

University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Department of Mathematics & Statistics

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill - Mathematics & Science Education Network - Pre-college Program

University of Washington - Women in Engineering Initiative

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Media Contacts
Lee Herring, NSF, (703) 292-8070, email: kherring@nsf.gov

Program Contacts
Roosevelt Calbert, NSF, (703) 292-8640, email: rcalbert@nsf.gov

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The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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