First row left to right: Freshman biology major Destini Fejeran; Sophomore pre-engineering major Camille Ann Gozum; Sophomore pre-engineering major Wes Shiroma, Nancy delos Reyes, mother of incoming junior pre-engineering major Kariella delos Reyes. Second row left to right: Client Services Manager at Brown and Caldwell Noel Enriquez, Assistant Vice President of Graduate Studies Research and Sponsored Programs Dr. John Peterson, Vice President of Brown and Caldwell Bill Gilman, Senior Vice President and Pacific Area Manager at Brown and Caldwell Raymond Matasci, Financial Aid Director Mark Duarte, and Interim Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Services. Not pictured: Sophomore pre-engineering major Ray Denora. 

 

Five University of Guam students received scholarship awards under a new collaborative program with engineering firm Brown and Caldwell.

Freshman Biology major Destini Fejeran, Sophomore Pre-engineering major Camille Ann Gozum, Sophomore Pre-Engineering major Wes Shiroma, Sophomore Pre-engineering major Kariella delos Reyes, and Sophomore Pre-engineering major Ray Mark Denora each received $1,000 to be put toward their tuition for pursing degrees in the sciences.

“I'm truly grateful for the generosity of Brown and Caldwell,” said Gozum. “They could have spent the money on a different project, but instead, they invested it in my education. It inspires me to continue to persevere in my studies.”

Earlier this year, Brown and Caldwell celebrated 25 years of doing business on island by establishing a scholarship program for UOG students. Every year for the next five years, five students will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship, beginning with the students attending the fall 2015 semester.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students,” said Assistant Vice President of Graduate Studies, Research, and Sponsored Programs Dr. John Peterson. “We’re grateful to Brown and Caldwell because this opens the door for more private sector partnerships with the University.”

Brown and Caldwell Senior Vice President and Pacific Area Manager Ray Matasci expressed his excitement for the students and the impact their efforts will have on the future of the island.

“Clearly there is a need for more engineering and environmental science students here to help support the island,” he said. “We’re pleased to be able to support you on your journey and look forward to having more engineers here to help the island of Guam.”

The pre-engineering program at UOG has grown substantially since its inception more than 20 years ago, said College of Natural and Applied Sciences Dean Dr. Lee Yudin.

“For most of the years if we had 10 to 12 pre-engineering majors, we felt we we’re doing well,” he said. “Now we have 40 to 50.

With the pre-engineering program serving as a foundation, the University hopes to offer a three-year program in the upcoming years and eventually a bachelor’s degree, Yudin said.

Within the next few months, UOG will be breaking ground on its new engineering annex which will serve as the epicenter of the engineering activities and academics on campus.