Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Four PCC students receive NASA scholarships

Photos and story by James Hill

PORTLAND, Ore. – Four engineering students at Portland Community College have been awarded $1,000 Oregon Space Grant Undergraduate Scholarships for winter term by the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium.Carolyn Sutton, Jeffrey Guenther, Jennifer Jones, and Michelle Hancock received a letter from the director of the consortium and a certificate of acknowledgment. The scholarship is intended to recognize the academic accomplishments of students enrolled at Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium member institutions, such as PCC. Each student has indicated a future in the aerospace community.Carolyn Sutton, 21, of Hillsboro, would like to some day design aircraft, build space vehicles and perform tests for NASA in the agency’s exploration of the moon and Mars. Sutton, who has a 3.95 GPA and studies at the Rock Creek and Sylvania campuses, hopes to transfer to either Portland State University in mechanical engineering or Arizona State University for aerospace engineering."This scholarship is the key to my success," she said. "I can finish my degree and join the ranks of respected engineers, hopefully even work at NASA."Michelle Hancock, 19, who lives in Wilsonville, is looking to attend Portland State to study mechanical engineering with a focus on aerodynamics. Hancock, who holds a 3.65 GPA and studies at the Sylvania Campus, was amazed at the marvels of aeronautical technology while attending NASA’s Space Camp in Florida and Alabama nine years ago. She works full-time at the Tualatin Country Club to pay for her studies at PCC."Since my experience at Space Camp, my curiosity in the field has not stopped," she said. "Next year, I would like to spend more time focusing on my studies as I advance to my core curriculum classes. With the help of a scholarship, I will be able to pursue my academic goals."Jeffrey Guenther, 26, who resides in southwest Portland and is a Pendleton native, plans to study at an aeronautical engineering school once he completes his engineering degree at PCC. Guenther, who possesses a GPA of 3.54 and studies at the Sylvania Campus, works as a part-time aircraft mechanic and has been involved with aviation for 10 years. He possesses mechanic certificates, aircraft inspector authorization and is currently working on his private pilot’s license. He eventually would like to work with the Federal Aviation Administration."One of my long-range goals is to help improve the efficiency, performance, and safety of aircraft," Guenther said. "Another future goal of mine is to give back to the aerospace community through education and teaching. I feel that the broader the background I have, the more capable I will be to help others."Jennifer Jones, 25, of southeast Portland, plans to go to PSU to pursue graduate work in civil, environmental and mechanical engineering. Jones, who has a 3.68 GPA and studies at the Sylvania Campus, works as a lab technician in PCC’s chemistry and physics programs, and plans to attend the summer NASA undergraduate student research program in Pasadena, Calif."One of my favorite things to do is go to a planetarium or observatory because it leaves me in awe of the vastness and beauty of the universe," added Jones. "I want to explore my world and contribute toward making it a better place."For more information about the Oregon Space Grant Consortium, visit their Web site at: www.oregonespacegrant.orst.edu.Portland Community College is a multi-campus system covering a 1,500-square-mile college district in northwest Oregon. The college is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon. It offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning. The college serves approximately 85,000 full- and part-time students each year.