2013 Monsanto Scholar: Alex Marcellus (University of Purdue)

Alex Marcellus is a freshman studying engineering with a minor in computer science at Purdue University. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Alex is a winner of the 1st Annual Monsanto Scholarship for BDPA Students awarded during the 2013 BDPA Technology Conference in Washington DC.

When asked to share his thoughts on winning the scholarship, Alex wrote,

“I am very grateful to have received the 2013 Monsanto Scholarship administered by the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation. This scholarship allows me to pursue my educational goals at a university renowned for both its research and its connections to industry. I plan to spend my career giving back to the communities that have made my educational success possible, especially the agricultural industry as it faces unprecedented technological opportunity through this century and beyond.

BDPA has set an example to me of the difference that Computer Science and Information Technology professionals can make in a rapidly changing global marketplace. The opportunities that BDPA offers to youth, including their youth camps and scholarships, are trend setting and one of the most powerful tools that we have to combat the STEM deficiency that is currently impacting America’s productivity and global competitiveness.

I was first involved in BDPA through my application for this Monsanto Scholarship. I have always been passionate about using data analysis to drive better business outcomes, and agriculture is one of the industrial verticals where these business benefits can be most clearly realized. BDPA and Monsanto both help provide the technically skilled workforce needed to implement the technologies and information systems to make these dreams a reality. I am truly grateful to the BDPA for giving me the opportunity to further my studies of engineering, mathematics, and computing at Purdue University and plan to stay involved with the organization in the future.”

Alex interned two summers ago on the Service Desk for Kao USA, helping them to support over 500 users. He interned last summer for GE Aviation working in their IT Department supporting the roll out of new software and an ERP implementation in the United States.

He is a new member of our BDPA Cincinnati chapter. Alex completed a stellar high school career at Summit Country Day School where he was the salutatorian while graduating with a astronomical 4.752 grade point average. His scholarship essay was entitled, 'How Information Technology Impacts Agriculture'. Alex is a young man who deserves to be known as a 'future face of technology'.

Oracle Scholarship Winner: Anthony Coleman (BDPA Greater Columbia)

Oracle senior diversity consultant Traci Wade announced the winners of the 5th annual Oracle Scholarship for BDPA Students during the 2013 BDPA Awards Gala. One of those winners is BDPA Greater Columbia student member Anthony Coleman.

Anthony is a senior at Dutch Fork High School with a STEM course concentration in computer science. He has been a member of the High School Computer Competition (HSCC) team trained by BDPA Greater Columbia chapter for the past three years. He was the HSCC team captain this year! Anthony is already making plans to participate in the 2014 BDPA Technology Conference as a participant in the BDPA IT Showcase.

Anthony is also involved in the Junior League of Greater Columbia leadership program and serves as a student liaison for his school district Cyber Saturday Technology event. BDPA is very proud to recognize Anthony as a 'future face of technology'!

BDPA Member on the Move: Adwait Walimbe (Wal-Mart)

BDPA prides itself on providing programs, scholarships and services that help young people move from 'classroom to the boardroom' in the IT industry. BDPA Southern Minnesota member Adwait Walimbe is the latest example of this tagline being turned into reality.

Adwait joined BDPA while still in junior high school. He participated in the local chapter's Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. In fact, Adwait is the only student in over 30 years of BDPA history to be part of the winning team in National BDPA High School Computer Competition (HSCC) championship for FIVE YEARS.

Adwait used his college scholarship winnings to attend the University of Minnesota. During his college career he participated in the BDPA IT Showcase held in Baltimore last year.   This was when Adwait sat amongst a large crowd of IT professionals to listen to the career insights delivered at an executive symposium by the keynote speaker Ben Hasan, an IT executive with Wal-Mart.

"That's where I met Ben. I followed up with him later at the conference, and over the next few months he convinced me to join Wal-Mart," said Adwait.

Adwait (top-left) listens intently to Ben Hasan's presentation

Adwait accepted his first full-time job in the IT industry with Wal-Mart last month. He is now a Strategy Manager for the largest retailer in the world.

Ben Hasan is happy with the fact that Adwait is beginning his career with Wal-Mart.

"We are really excited to have Adwait on the team!!!", said Mr. Hasan.

Adwait Walimbe is the 'future face of technology'. Wal-Mart knows it. BDPA is proud of Adwait and we look forward to following his career over the coming years!   I encourage all BDPA members reading this post to share some love with our amazing Mr. Walimbe!

Wordless Wednesday: Future Faces of Technology (2012 BDPA Conference)

SOURCE: Flickr, BDPA Foundation Photostream

Future Face of Technology: Emmaly Manchanthasouk (CEO, Emmapowerment Designs)

Emmaly Manchanthasouk was a member of the 2008 and 2009 HSCC teams trained by BDPA Twin Cities. She earned college scholarship funding based on the team's high placement in the 2009 HSCC championship. Earlier this month Emmaly was a featured speaker at the BDPA Twin Cities Awards Gala. BDPA Education and Technology Foundation is very proud of Emmaly on any number of levels. She is truly the 'future face of technology'

CEO of Emmapowerment Designs, Manchanthasouk, graduated in Computer Science concentrating in Information Systems with a minor in Fashion Design at the University of St. Thomas.  Her software development company specializes in user interface design, database design and the re-engineering of legacy systems.

A proud Lao woman, she has the passion & heart to empower the underprivileged and bring social change to women across the world. AND she does it all while flaunting her pink zebra obsession.

She lives with her husband in the suburbs of Minnesota with her 2 baby zebras. She claims she cooks the best Lao food."

"I'm such a nerd for doing this but this is the kind of woman I want to be one day. I dream big," admitted Manchanthasouk.

Help BDPA fund college scholarships for the 'future faces of technology' by making a secure online donation right now!

Future Face of Technology: Courtney Lucas (Fayetteville State University)

Fayetteville State University was introduced during a HBCU panel discussion at the 2012 BDPA Technology Conference. As such, we are pleased to introduce to one of the 'Future Faces of Technology' - Ms. Courtney Lucas! [SOURCE]

Fayetteville State University’s Center for Defense and Homeland Security (CDHS) student nominee Courtney Lucas, has been accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) CONVERGE 2.0 Program. MIT’s Converge Program was first offered in 2004 with the mission to invite a cohort of outstanding underrepresented and underserved undergraduates to the MIT campus for a fall (pre-admission) graduate preview weekend. The CONVERGE Program focuses on a select group of students in which 15 students from across the nation are given the opportunity to visit the campus during the first weekend in November. To be considered for the program, a student must be nominated by faculty, staff, or administration and meet the following criteria:

• 3.8 GPA or greater
• Multiple research experiences
• Graduating senior
• Engaging student who takes initiative

“The Center for Defense and Homeland Security was proud to nominate Ms. Lucas who has displayed her outstanding academic ability and skill,” Dr. Curtis Charles, CDHS Executive Director.

Ms. Lucas is a graduating senior (May 2013) who majors in Biology and she is a native of Fayetteville, NC. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Wake Forest University, has served as a research assistant at FSU and Wake Forest, mentors high school students, and also serves as a North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholar (NC-LSAMP). The LSAMP is a competitive program, designed to prepare minority students who are underrepresented in fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“I have known Ms. Lucas since she was accepted to the LSAMP program in fall 2011. During her interview for the program she demonstrated strong communication skills and her credentials reflected her unflinching desire for academic pursuit,” Dr. Daniel Okunbor.

It is wonderful to be able to share another 'Future Face of Technology' with our blog audience. Feel free to REPLY to this blog post if you want to celebrate Ms. Lucas or tell us about other people that we should be honoring in the future!