Scholarship allows student to focus on academics, grades

Stacy Greene knew he wanted to be a pilot after seeing the Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the age of seven years old. Today, as a mechanical engineering technology major with an aeronautical concentration in the College of Technology and Innovation at Arizona State University Polytechnic, he is on track to doing just that.

Recently, Greene received good news that will help him achieve his dream. He was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from the Arizona chapter of the American Helicopter Society, which will help pay for living expenses while he attends school full time.

Though the Thunderbirds made an impression, as he got older, he realized that rotorcraft, such as helicopters, were much more interesting to him. After he graduates, he would like to fly helicopters for the U.S. Marines.

“Currently, I’m  involved in the Platoon Leaders Class, a Marine commissioning program that trains candidates during summer breaks without interrupting academic studies,” says Greene.

Last summer, Greene finished top in his class. When Greene completes the program and obtains his college degree, he will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and begin training to be a Marine Corps pilot.

His professor Changho Nam encouraged him to apply for the scholarship because he knew what Greene was capable of, but at the time Greene had his doubts.

“The entire time I was filling out the scholarship I felt like I was wasting my time, that I would not even come close to what they were looking for.”

However, Greene was exactly what the American Helicopter Society was looking for. “I was ecstatic and extremely grateful because money is tight right now, especially with the difficulty of time available for work with the schedule I have.”

Nam, associate professor in the Department of Engineering Technology, is not surprised that Greene was chosen for this scholarship.

“I have been impressed by his positive attitude, motivation, performance and ability to work, as well as be a leader on in-class team projects. It’s easy for me to see why he received such a rewarding scholarship.”

Scott Danielson, chair of the Department of Engineering Technology, feels the awarding of the scholarship recognizes not only Greene’s personal excellence but also the caliber of the program offered at ASU.

“I think Stacy’s being awarded the scholarship indicates that this applied engineering program and Stacy’s performance in it, make him very competitive and speaks well for the Polytechnic campus and its programs.”

After he finishes with the Marines Corps, Greene would like to work for a helicopter design or manufacturing company. He is hopeful receiving this scholarship will help open doors for him in the future, but for now he is thankful for the help it will provide immediately.

“Between working and having good grades, I prefer to have good grades and this scholarship allows me to spend more time studying.”

Written by Tana Ingram

Media Contact:
Christine Lambrakis, lambrakis@asu.edu
(480) 727-1173, (602) 316-5616