Kettering Scholar Returns

For a third consecutive year, the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise granted a scholarship to a Bahamian high school student to participate in Kettering University's Academically Interested Minorities (AIM) programme. The Michigan based Kettering University is ranked 12th in the US (among non-doctoral institutions) for Best Engineering programmes, and every summer since 1984 has put on the AIM programme. It is a five-week summer programme for students about to enter their 12th year of high school, and specifically targets students serious about potential careers in science, technology, engineering and math. During the five weeks, students lived on campus, attended classes given by some of the University's professors and lecturers; and were also exposed to some of Kettering's corporate partners in the programme, like Toyota, General Motors, and Harley Davidson. This year's scholarship recipient was Janiel Pinder, who is now a 12th grade student and prefect at the Government High School. Janiel along with Dr. Milton Robinson, Consultant to the President of Kettering University visited with Nassau Sunrisers this past week, to talk about her summer's experiences. The Programme offers just 40 spots each year, and students from across the US and the Caribbean compete for the chance to fill one of those places. To be eligible, applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade point average in mathematics, chemistry and English; and no less than 2 years of study in algebra, 1 year in geometry, 1 year in chemistry (including lab work) and 2 years in English. Students in the programme were given a real college experience. Monday through Thursday, they attended freshman level courses in math, chemistry, computer programming, economics, physics and business management. The courses were taught by Kettering faculty, and homework assignments and examinations were required. On Fridays the students visited some of Kettering's co-op employers, where they met with professional engineers and business managers. Janiel told Rotarians that "it was a very good opportunity for me" and thanked them for the scholarship award. She admitted that while it was at times a bit challenging for her, that she returned "determined to excel even more in mathematics, especially calculus and science subjects". Nearly 100% of AIM graduates go on to college and university, and Dr. Robinson explained that based on Janiel's performance in the programme, that she was already on track to receive up to $10,000 in scholarship money. Since the Programme's inception, more than 700 students from across the US, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean have participated, each sponsored by a company, foundation or service organisation. This year, the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise was one of 17 such entities, and Dr. Robinson presented the Club with a plaque in recognition of the Club's ongoing participation in the AIM programme, and its commitment to enhancing students' educational experience and exposure in subjects as important as mathematics and the sciences. "For every investment you make in a student, the return in terms of additional scholarships and job opportunities that student receives is multiplied tremendously and we are grateful for your continued support." Dr. Robinson also pointed out that Nassau Sunrise Rotarian Omar Martin, a Grand Bahama native and now Mechanical Engineer, had been the very first Bahamian to have participated in the programme back in 1997. Among the students in the 2006 group, just six were from the Caribbean, including four from The Bahamas and two from Jamaica. Janiel was the only New Providence participant, with the remaining three Bahamians, Cordero Simmons, Barrack Stubbs and Robert Tinker all coming from Grand Bahama.