Fall
2 01 3
ACHIEVEMENTS
National Newsletter of ARCS® Foundation
Achievement Rewards for College Scientists
President’s
Message
Dear ARCS® Foundation Friends,
Thank you for reading the Fall 2013
issue of ACHIEVEMENTS! We
est to you as ARCS Foundation
Alums, and supporters.
enthused for the year ahead. A highlight of the meeting
was attending the ARCS Foundation Portland Chapter’s
-
ARCS Foundation is at an important juncture in its 55 year
history. As our nation’s demand for PhD level scientists continues to increase, our mission to support scholars in STEM
related fields of study becomes more and more important.
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An ARCS ® Foundation National News Publication
To help ARCS Foundation support
Contents
President’s
message Page 2
Scholar
Achievements
Page 4
Chapter
Achievements
Page 9
National
Achievements
Page 16
Board Endowment Fund. In 2010,
our former National President, Mary
tional Endowment Fund to 2 million
dollars. With the generous support
members of the National Board, we
we’re not there yet! It is my hope
that will be our ACHIEVEMENT by
June 2015.
President, National Board
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Nancy B. Spetzler
OFFICERS/DIRECTORS
Diana Alexander
Jeanne Berdik
Kristen Bloschock
Lynne Brickner
Christine Burton
Donna Casey
Linda Celesia
Nancy Chambers
Susan Harter
Jacqueline Henson
Sherry Lundeen
Ronnie Martin
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Anna Maria Matteucci
Judith Miller
Andrea Purple
Mary Snitch
Lynne Sonntag
Donna Spivey
Carlyn Steiner
Carol Stockman
Shirleen Tucker
Elizabeth Wainwright
Leslie Workman
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Patricia Anderson
Roulhac Austin
Judy Benham
Ann Brown
Donna Casey
Diane Chalmers
Gracia Conn
Janet Dickenson
Lynn Dillon
Cheryl Ernst
Eileen Haga
Barbara Hamkalo
Gail House
Jean Josephson
Margaret McGann
Andrea Thoresen
Missy Unkovic
Yolanda WaltherMeade
An ARCS ® Foundation National News Publication
Scholar
Achievements
Former ARCS Scholar Named NASA
Astronaut
NASA selected biologist Jessica
Meir, who earned a doctorate at
the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, for astronaut training this
past June.
Meir, 35, was among four women
and four men named to the astronaut corps by NASA, which made
the announcement on the eve of the day 30 years ago when
Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel into
space.
NASA said the team could earn their way on to the first
manned missions to an asteroid and to Mars. No dates have
been set for either of those missions, but NASA continues
to send astronauts to the International Space Station.
Meir was born in Caribou, Maine, and went on to earn
degrees at Brown University and the International Space
University before she took her doctorate at Scripps. Paul
Popoganis, a Scripps researcher who served as Meir’s
advisor, said, “Dr. Meir always demonstrated that combination of intellect, initiative, and enthusiasm to become an
excellent scientist as well as astronaut. She enjoys facing
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intellectual as well as physical challenges, and she always
finds a way to get the job done. She is equally adept at
bench work in the laboratory as well as fieldwork in the
harsh Antarctic environment. In addition, she is also a certified pilot, and an accomplished scuba diver. All these skills,
and talents will serve her well as an astronaut.”
(Excerpted from San Diego Union-Tribune article, June 17,
2013)
Minnesota ARCS Alum A National Science
Foundation Researcher at Stanford
Greg Lefevre was
recently awarded the
“Outstanding Dissertation Award” for his 2012
thesis at the University
of Minnesota by the Association of Environmental Engineering
and Science Professors
(http://www.ce.umn.edu/
news/). Greg is currently
working as a postdoctoral research scholar in the National Science Foundation
engineering research center for Re-inventing the Nation’s
Urban Water Infrastructure (ReNUWIt; renuwit.org). ReNUW It’s focus is on creating comprehensive ways to
better use and sustainably manage water in urban arid
regions. Greg’s “research home” is in the environmental
science and engineering program at Stanford University
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under the direction of Prof. Richard Luthy. He works in
two main project areas. One examines the use of systems
to capture, treat, and recharge storm water into aquifers
that can be used later. His second area of research examines the use of plants to take up and degrade trace organic
contaminants that may be found in recycled water or storm
water. Honolulu Scholar Kelly Benoit-Bird Honored
for Ocean Evesdropping
ARCS Foundation Honolulu
Scholar (2002) Kelly Benoit-Bird
continues to receive recognition
for her work to develop and apply acoustic equipment to study
marine mammals and the open
ocean ecosystem since graduating from the University of Hawaii
at Manoa.
Dr. Benoit-Bird, an associate
professor in the College of Ocean
and Atmospheric Sciences
at Oregon State university received a Presidential Early
Career Award among other honors—most notably, a 2010
MacArthur Foundation grant, popularly known as a “Genius
Award.”
In 2012, she was named a PopTech! Fellow for her innovative research. And, in April 2013, she was featured on
Public Radio’s Academic Minute.
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ARCS Scholar Maureen Ryan Featured on
National Public Radio
Maureen Ryan, ARCS
Scholar Alum, who is
connected to three ARCS
Foundation Chapters has
recently been featured
on National Public Radio (NPR). Maureen is
from Pittsburgh where
her mother, Catharine,
is a Pittsburgh Chapter member. Her parents have supported a
scholar award in ecology
at Penn State in Maureen’s name. Maureen received
her scholar award from the Northern CA Chapter when
she was a doctoral student at UC Davis. She is now
the David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellow at
the University of Washington, a partner university to
the Seattle Chapter. 7
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Portland ARCS Alum at NIH National Human
Genome Research Institute
Kate Saylor, Oregon Health
and Science University ARCS
Scholar (2007) is a health policy
analyst in the National Human
Genome Research Institute
at the National Institutes of
Health. Her office focuses on
policy issues including secondary/incidental genetic research
results; gene patenting; the
value and costs of genetic testing in the clinic; and genetic discrimination. Saylor is also involved in regular analyses and reporting
on the genomic research that NIH funds, and interacts
frequently with Congress and other external stakeholders. Prior to her work at NIH, Ms. Saylor worked at the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
where she spent much of the past year helping with
stroke research planning. 8
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Chapter
Achievements
Seattle Chapter Celebrates Record Breaking
Auction
The ARCS Foundation Seattle Chapter celebrated its
most successful auction yet on Sunday, June 2nd, at
Chihuly Garden and Glass. Nearly 200 members and
“Friends of ARCS” enjoyed an evening that included spirited bidding and revelry. Guests were welcomed to what
ARCS member Cathi Hatch called “a magical fairyland of
vividly-hued glass plants and trees in the garden” After
cocktails and a silent auction, guests were ushered into
the Glasshouse to dine under the ethereal orange and
gold blown-glass floral sculpture hanging overhead.
Event co-chairs Vicki
Griffin, Marnie
Briggs-Stamper, and
Andrea Thoreson
transformed the Glasshouse to a glistening
garden party. The
auction catalog was a
curated collection of
one-of-a-kind items.
The auction Fund-A-Fellow portion of the evening was
memorable. The opening Raise Your Paddle was to es-
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An ARCS ® Foundation National News Publication
tablish an ARCS Endowment. An anonymous donor came forward with
gift of $75,000. When
the applause ended,
ARCS Fellow Stephanie
Seeman raised a paddle
on behalf of Tom and
Vicki Griffin for another
endowment. Donors
Trish and Jim Rogers
generously raised their
paddle to donate the
third endowment. Donors Nancy and Doug Norberg came
forward later in the evening to establish an endowment in
honor of their daughter, Kristin Norberg Kenefick, a new
ARCS Foundation member. With four new endowments,
eight full-named fellowships, and four full shared fellowships, the Fund-A-Fellow portion of the evening raised
$547,000, which also reflects the many other generous
donations.
At the end of the night, Andrea Thoreson, ARCS Foundation Seattle President, and auction CoChair announced the
total raised that evening; just over $650,000.
ARCS Pittsburgh Chapter Celebrates Milestones
Since its inception in 2003, ARCS Foundation Pittsburgh
Chapter has raised more than one million dollars to support
U.S. doctoral students in science, engineering, and technology
at University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and
Penn State. To mark its first million dollars, as well as its first
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ten years of existence,
ARCS Foundation Pittsburgh Chapter hosted
a celebratory evening
reception June 6 at the
Frick Art and Historical
Center in Point Breeze. University of Pittsburgh’s Chancellor Mark Nordenberg was
on hand, as was ARCS Pittsburgh charter member Maureen
Cohon, wife of CMU’s outgoing president Jared Cohon. President Missy Unkovic spelled out the Pittsburgh Chapter’s
accomplishments; “Raising $1,172,500 for scholar awards is
a large milestone to celebrate in a small group of women who
have worked together for only ten years.”
Proceeds from the reception fund the Maureen and Jerry Cohon ARCS Scholar Award, in honor of Dr. Jared Cohon. Metropolitan Washington Chapter Members
Tour Goddard Space Flight Center
On Wednesday, August 21, 2013, a group from ARCS
Foundation Metropolitan Washington Chapter (MWC),
embarked on an in-depth, “behind-the-scenes” tour of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA)
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The tour was arranged through the efforts of ARCS/MWC member Diana
Alexander and her husband Joe, both of whom had long
careers with GSFC. ARCS/MWC not only has many links
to GSFC and, more broadly, NASA, through its members
and scholars but GSFC’s far-reaching scientific mission
aligns perfectly with ARCS Foundation founding principles
and goals.
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The group was greeted at the Visitor’s Center by Nina Harris, Senior Protocol Officer, and Rho Christensen, Office
of Communications. After exploring the center’s exhibits,
ranging from early Vanguard missions to more recent
space exploration projects, the group heard dynamic presentations from Dr. Colleen Hartman, the Deputy Director for Science, Operations & Program Performance, and
Dr. Michelle Thaller, Assistant Director for Science.
Dr. Hartman gave a comprehensive overview of GSFC and
its projects, describing cutting-edge projects ranging from
Hubble to Curiosity to the Lunar Atmosphere Dust Environ-
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ment Explorer (LADEE was launched on Friday, September
6th, from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, located at Wallops Island, VA).
Dr. Thaller presented
GSFC’s “Science on a
Sphere,” speaking of
weather patterns, climate
change, and the changing
earth surface, accompanied
by mesmerizing projections on the sphere. The
group then traveled by
bus to numerous buildings
within GSFC. First stop, Mr. Greg Dell, Deputy Chief, Earth
Science Mission Operations (ESMO), discussed the wide
variety of Earth Observing Missions.
Next stop: the Spacecraft Test & Integration Complex.
Upon entering the facility, ARCS/MWC was treated to a
demonstration of a 1/6th scale-model of the James Webb
Space Telescope (JWST) built by students from Cal Poly
Institute in California, with GSFC input.
The group then viewed
and learned about projects
being assembled in some
of the largest clean rooms
in the world, including the
Magnetospheric Multiscale
Mission (MMS), the Global
Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, and
the JWST. The MMS, a
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mission studying magnetic reconnection, is being
developed, integrated, and
tested at GSFC. The GPM
is an international satellite
mission that will use nextgeneration precipitation
measurements to quantify
rain and snow worldwide.
The tour ended with a presentation about the JWST. As
noted by NASA, the JWST “is designed to continue—and
expand—the legacy of scientific discovery from Hubble.”
The JWST, which will primarily observe infrared light and
will be about 100 times more powerful than Hubble, is an
international collaboration between NASA, the European
Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. GSFC is
responsible for several aspects of the project, including its
overall management.
$150,000 Donation Endows Atlanta Chapter’s
Future
The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation endowed
the future of ARCS Foundation Atlanta Chapter, with a
Lead Donation of $150,000 to its Endowment Fund Campaign. This is by far the largest donation ever received by
the Atlanta Chapter, ensuring a legacy it can build upon.
The Atlanta Chapter is extremely grateful for the Glenn
Family Foundation’s generous donation and support of its
mission to provide scholar awards for “the best and brightest.”
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An ARCS ® Foundation National News Publication
Phoenix Chapter Boasts First Mother-Daughter
ARCS Lights
The apple doesn’t fall far from
the tree. Like mother, like
daughter. These sayings may
come to mind when thinking
about Anna Maria Matteucci,
ARCS Foundation Phoenix
Chapter Light 2013. Anna Maria follows in the footsteps of
her mother, Sandra Matteucci,
who was named an ARCS
Foundation Light in 2004. This “dynamic duo” made ARCS Foundation history as the
first mother-daughter ARCS Lights. Sandra joined the Phoenix Chapter in 1991 and has since
then been a leader and a mentor in Phoenix and on the
National Board. She is currently a member of the National Council of Advisors. In 2011, Sandra was named an
ARCS Foundation Lifetime Achiever. The Ralph Matteucci
Endowment Award was established in 2004 in memory of
her late husband.
Anna Maria joined ARCS in 2001 and, like her mother, has
been active in the Phoenix Chapter and on the National
Board. She recently completed a two-year stint as President of the Phoenix Chapter, served as National ARCS
Foundation Vice President of Communications, and is
currently National Treasurer. Sandra and Anna Maria host
the annual ARCS Foundation Phoenix Chapter Retreat each
August, as well as Phoenix Chapter events and luncheons,
including the Annual General Meeting and Member Tea
each February. 15
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National
Achievements
SCIENCE IN PARADISE: ARCS National Annual
Meeting
The 2013 ARCS Foundation
National Annual Meeting, hosted
by ARCS Foundation Honolulu
Chapter, was held May 30-June 1.
This meeting provided a wonderful opportunity for attendees to
network with members of the 17
ARCS Foundation Chapters.
The National Annual Meeting also offered participants
opportunities to hone their skills with focused training
designed to help each chapter further develop and prosper.
Specific workshops covered topics such as “Using the
ARCS Foundation Website to Increase Chapter Effectiveness,” “Grant Writing,” and “Integrating Planned Giving
into Chapter Fund Development Plans.” These intensive
workshops were well received by ARCS Foundation at-
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An ARCS ® Foundation National News Publication
tendees. With support from faculty members from The
University of Hawaii, the science portion of the Annual
Meeting included presentations from experts in their respective fields on:
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Search for Our Neighbors, and The Fate of the Universe
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Optional tours, which were well attended by ARCS Foundation members and guests, included excursions to Oahu
Volcanic Sites, Lyon Arboretum, University of Hawaii Space
Lab and Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and the Waikiki
Aquarium.
A highlight of the 2013 National Annual Meeting was The
ARCS Light Award Luncheon, which honored 2013 recipients of the prestigious ARCS Light Award.
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Lockheed Martin Corporation Recognized as
ARCS Foundation Champion
ARCS National President Nancy
Spetzler and a small group of
National Board leaders recently
had the opportunity in Portland,
OR, to meet over dinner with Dr.
Ray O. Johnson, Senior VP and
Chief Technology Officer, Lockheed Martin Corporation. During
the dinner, Nancy recognized Dr.
Johnson for his, and the Corporation’s, commitment to STEM, and for his steadfast and
generous support to the ARCS National Endowment Fund
-- the financial core of the National organization’s future
growth and stability. Dr. Johnson applauded the work and
successes of ARCS Foundation and offered his continued
commitment to support the National Endowment Fund into
the future. Lockheed Martin Corporation is also a major contributor to
Chapter Scholar Award Funds in Metropolitan Washington
and Colorado, with a growing presence in the Atlanta and
San Diego Chapters.
ARCS Scholar Alum Networking Reception
An exciting ARCS Foundation Alum outreach initiative was
kicked off in August in conjunction with an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) conference
in Los Angeles. The initiative was brought to National by
Kristen Bloschock, Metropolitan Washington Member and
National Board Secretary. Kristen is also an ARCS Founda-
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tion Alum (PhD/Physics/2007), an AIAA Member, and is
employed by Lockheed Martin Corporate Engineering and
Technology, a long-time champion of ARCS Foundation. The idea of the initiative is to reach out to ARCS Foundation Alums, connecting via the National Scholar database,
and organize an informal event in conjunction with major
AIAA conferences across the U.S. In the case of Los
Angeles, the ARCS Foundation Scholar database shows
nearly 600 alums in the greater LA area.
Kristen was delighted to receive nearly two dozen responses to her first Alum-to-Alum invitation -- all expressing high
interest in reconnecting with ARCS Foundation in the Los
Angeles Chapter or elsewhere. The August 14th reception in Los Angeles included four
soon-to-be Alums (completion of PhD in sight) as well
as leaders of the LA Chapter. This event was marked by
spirited conversations on the impact of ARCS Foundation
Scholar Awards’ funding, and continued involvement in
ARCS Foundation following graduation. Plans are underway to organize similar events in conjunction with AIAA conferences in Washington, DC (January
2014), Atlanta, (June 2014) and San Diego (August 2014).
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Nancy Spetzler
President
ARCS Foundation National Board
Nancy Chambers
VP Communications
ARCS Foundation National Board
Christy Burton
Newsletter Editor
ARCS Foundation National Board
Contributors:
All ARCS Foundation Chapters
Jacob Tobey
Editorial Designer
ARCS® Foundation, Inc.
A 501(c)3 non- profit organization, Tax ID 23-7373079
4005 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
P.O. Box 39105
Washington, DC 20016-9998
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.arcsfoundation.org
ARCS ® is Registered in the
United States Patent
and Trademark Office
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