Mechanical engineering student from Topeka receives select scholarship for promise in his profession
Monday, May 22, 2017
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University student Michael Brown, Topeka, has been named a 2017 Praxair Engineers of Tomorrow Scholarship winner from the Executive Leadership Council.
The scholarship is open to high-achieving undergraduate minority students currently attending a four-year college or university and pursuing a mechanical or chemical engineering degree. Three scholarship awardees receive a one-time need-based scholarship of $12,000 each to assist with educational expenses for the 2017-2018 academic year.
Brown recently completed his freshman year in mechanical engineering.
The scholarship's sponsor, the Executive Leadership Council, is a membership organization committed to increasing the number of global black executives in C-suites, on corporate boards and in global enterprises. The mission of its scholarship programs is to build a pipeline of black corporate talent by supporting academic achievement and development of black undergraduate and graduate students.
Brown has been appointed to the Kansas State University Student Foundation, was involved in the College of Engineering Student Council through Leaders in Freshmen Engineering, or LIFE, and served on the executive board for the National Society of Black Engineers at the university.
Before beginning his freshman year, Brown took part in the university's Project Impact Kompass program, a three-day extended orientation program designed to accelerate academic success for incoming freshmen multicultural students in agriculture, business and engineering. Participants take "Guaranteed 4.0" training and participate in the university's Challenge Course, team-building activities, workshops and business professional etiquette classes. The program extends into the first academic year with mentors, professional development and academic monitoring experiences.
"Michael is an exceptional young man, committed to his academics while successfully managing his time for involvement in important campus groups and activities," said LaVerne Bitsie-Baldwin, director of the Multicultural Engineering Program at Kansas State University. "I am extremely proud of his being recognized with this national scholarship."
As a part of the award, Brown will attend the Engineering Leadership Council’s Honors Symposium, Oct. 22-26, which is designed to introduce scholarship recipients to a wide range of business-related careers and industries. The week begins in New York City where scholars visit major global companies and engage in one-on-one meetings with senior-level executives. They visit select cultural sites and attend evening receptions and/or dinners with council members and other senior executives. The symposium experience concludes in Washington, D.C., with an annual recognition gala where scholarship recipients are recognized on stage.
Brown is a graduate of Topeka High School.
