New physics education scholarship available to SEMO students
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Southeast Missouri State University received funding from two people for students studying to become high school physics teachers.
Recipients will receive financial aid and the opportunity to spend the summer with an academic research group. The scholarship will be available in 2024 for incoming students.
Jason LeGrand serves as senior director of principal gifts and strategic initiatives for the University of California, Berkeley. He is a SEMO graduate and member of the SEMO Foundation Board of Directors, according to Southeast.
Dr. Eric Burkholder is an assistant professor in Auburn University’s Department of Physics. He leads a research group focused on the teaching physics. He received his B.S. in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Cornell University, his M.S. and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the California Institute of Technology, and was a postdoctoral research scholar studying physics and engineering education under Nobel laureate Carl Wieman at Stanford University.
Additionally, LeGrand is a member of the campaign steering committee and resource development committee of the SEMO foundation board, according to Southeast. LeGrand is a recipient of the Southeast Alumni Association’s Young Alumni Merit Award and is a member of the President’s Council, Horizon Club, Redhawks Club, and KRCU Circle. He also helped establish the Emily York Endowed Admissions Achievement Award and the Walter B. Wildman, III, Endowed Scholarship for Civic Engagement. Previously, he established the Jason J. LeGrand and Neal E Boyd Endowment, in honor of Neal, his late friend and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity brother.
