AU RECEIVES GRANTS $650,000 National Science Foundation Grant for Scholarships The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Ashland University a $650,000 grant as part of a five-year STEM scholarship program that will provide scholarships and academic support for academically talented science students with financial need. The NSF grant, which begins Jan. 15 and runs through Dec. 31, 2021, provides funds for a “Science Scholars Program” that will allow AU to provide renewable scholarships to outstanding incoming students with financial need who want to major in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, environmental science, geology, physics or toxicology. “In addition to the scholarships, the program provides support to help these scholars be successful science majors through enhanced career preparation programming; a tiered system of mentoring that includes faculty, peer and alumni mentors; and the creation of a learning community of scholars that will feature success seminars, workshops and lectures,” said AU Provost Dr. Eun-Woo Chang. The principal investigator on the grant project is Dr. Perry Corbin, professor of chemistry at AU, while co-principal investigators include Dr. Patricia Saunders, associate professor of biology; Dr. Paul Hyman, associate professor of biology; Dr. Christopher Chartier, assistant professor of psychology; and Dr. Dawn Weber, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Rodney Michael, associate professor of physics, and Dr. Jeff Weidenhamer, trustee’s distinguished professor of chemistry, also will serve as senior personnel on the project. Corbin said the program is designed to provide renewable scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 annually. “Incoming first-year students who have been accepted to AU, are declaring a major in the natural sciences and plan to pursue a career in science are encouraged to apply to join the first Science Scholars Program cohort in fall of 2017,” Corbin said.