The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Gulf Coast Chapter, in conjunction with NDIA’s Targets, UAVs and Range Operations Division is pleased to announce this year’s winners of the annual Hubert D. (Hugh) Harris Scholarship Award. The award is given to students pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Each recipient will receive a $1,000.00 award which will be sent to the respective colleges' financial aid office for use by the students. The Scholarship was established in 1992 in honor of Mr. Harris who was a research and development engineer at Eglin AFB. He was recognized throughout the Department of Defense and industry for his advanced ideas and contributions to the development of unmanned aerial target vehicle systems. The recipients are as follows.
Tiffany Berkley, Crestview High School, will be attending the University of Florida and majoring in Bio-Medical Engineering. Tiffany had an impressive high school career and graduated with a 4.0 (4.65 weighted) GPA. In addition to her scholastic achievement, Tiffany was an Anne T. Mitchell award winner, an AP Scholar with Distinction, on the President’s List at Northwest Florida State College, and 1 of 5 students selected to participate in the U.S. Air Force/96th Test Wing’s STEM Intern/Mentoring program. Her extra-curricular activities included Band, French Club, Tennis Team Captain, Interclub Council, and Christian Student Union.
Seth Kootsouradis, Crestview High School, ranked #1 in his class of 421 students. He received high honors for all “A’s” every semester while also playing varsity football and soccer. He was a member of the Key Club and National Honor Society, helped with the Special Olympics Unified Soccer Team, and was an Anne T. Mitchell Honors Award recipient each year of high school. Seth will be attending the University of Louisiana, Lafayette where he will major in Mechanical Engineering.
Luke Shetler, Crestview High School, will be attending the University of West Florida and majoring in Civil Engineering. While in school, Luke was active in Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), a band drum line section leader, and a member of the Crestview High Bulldog Ambassadors. He received the prestigious National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence his senior year. Following college, Luke intends to serve his country by becoming an Air Force officer.
Megan Wood, a 2015 Fort Walton Beach High School graduate, is currently attending the University of Alabama where she is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. She has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.76 for the past two semesters at Alabama and has been on the Dean’s List both semesters. Megan is enrolled in the Honors Program, is active in the Society of Women Engineers, Penny Pinchers, and has completed over 60 hours of volunteering with community organizations.
The Hugh Harris Scholarship program is extremely proud to be able to assist these fine students in furthering their scientific, technical, engineering and mathematics careers.