posted 01-11-2017 04:35 AM               

New 'Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence' to honor Astronaut Scholars

A newly-established award named for the first man to walk on the moon will honor a new generation of scientists, engineers and explorers whose character and achievements exemplify the principles that were embodied by Neil Armstrong and all of the astronauts who have flown into space.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has announced the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence to recognize the best among its scholarship recipients.

...the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence will be presented at the Scholarship Foundation's inaugural Innovator's Gala to be held in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 16, 2017.

posted 06-30-2017 04:09 PM               

Inaugural Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence honoree announced

Patrick T. Biltgen, Ph.D., recognized for work that helps protect America

Patrick T. Biltgen, Ph.D., today was named the first winner of the Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence. The award is named for the pioneering astronaut and recognizes an individual who best exemplifies the personal character and professional achievement of Armstrong and his astronaut colleagues.

The award is presented to a former Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) scholar whose research and work has had a positive impact on industry and who embodies a passion to expand the boundaries of exploration through science and technology.

"Dr. Biltgen represents the best qualities of our Astronaut Scholars, not only achieving professional excellence but for his commitment to mentor students and young engineers," said Curt Brown, ASF Chairman of the Board. "He was selected from an impressive pool of candidates and we are gratified to see Patrick, and so many of our former scholars, continuing the passion for exploration and scientific excellence."

Biltgen, who was named an Astronaut Scholar in 2001 while a student at Georgia Tech, is currently the Director of Analytics for Vencore, Inc., a firm based in Chantilly, Va., that provides high impact, mission- critical information solutions, engineering and analytics for the U.S. Government. His innovative methods for data integration and analysis resulted in pioneering work on the discipline of Activity-Based Intelligence (ABI). That work has benefitted the nation's military and intelligence communities by locating and identifying explosive caches used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs). ABI was credited with saving the lives of dozens of soldiers.

While the primary beneficiaries of this achievement included the military and intelligence communities, Biltgen's work also has been used to great effect for humanitarian purposes to include documenting treaty violations and monitoring of relief efforts in the Middle East. Biltgen's work and expertise is in great demand from civil and governmental organizations across the globe.

"I am grateful to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for providing life-long opportunities and experiences

to advance my engineering education," Biltgen said. "I am also deeply honored to be recognized by ASF and thankful to the Armstrong family for launching this award. Neil Armstrong is the ultimate example of a passionate engineer and innovator who never stopped reaching for the stars."

Biltgen formally will be presented with the award at the Innovators Gala to be held Sept. 16, 2017 at the J.W. Marriott in Washington, D.C. The Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence was established in 2016 through a partnership with the Purdue Research Foundation, the Armstrong Family and Neil Armstrong's friend, Jim Hays.

The award pays tribute to the legacy of Armstrong and his fellow space explorers in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. Managed by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, the award honors that legacy while inspiring future generations to embrace science and technology.

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was created by the surviving Mercury astronauts and their families, a mission that has been embraced by today's astronauts, to reward the best and brightest university students in science and technology.

posted 07-24-2017 12:55 PM               

Astronaut Mike Collins to Give Keynote Address at the Innovators Gala

Apollo 11 astronaut to remember Neil Armstrong and welcome 2017-2018 Astronaut Scholar Class

Apollo 11 command module pilot, astronaut Mike Collins, will be the keynote speaker at the Innovators Gala to be held September 16, 2017 at the JW Marriott in Washington, D.C. Collins will headline the event introducing the 45 members of the 2017-2018 Astronaut Scholar class and the first recipient of the Neil ArmstrongTM Award of Excellence.

Attendees at the Innovators Gala will have the unique opportunity of hearing from Collins, who served as pilot for the Gemini X mission in 1966 and command module pilot for Apollo 11 in 1969.

The event is highlighted by the presentation of the 45 members of the 2017-2018 Astronaut Scholar class who represent the best and brightest of college students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math. In addition, the inaugural Neil Armstrong Award of Excellence will be presented to Astronaut Scholar, Patrick Biltgen.

"I am pleased to have this opportunity to honor the legacy of my dear friend Neil Armstrong," Collins said. "I am only sorry that Neil is not here to honor Patrick directly, as the two of them, I am sure, would enjoy knowing each other."

The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the Mercury Astronauts in 1984. The Foundation's mission is to aid the United States in retaining its world leadership in technology and innovation by supporting the very best and brightest scholars in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while commemorating the legacy of America's pioneering astronauts.

ASF awards 45, $10,000 scholarships to outstanding college juniors and seniors nationwide with support from astronauts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle and Space Station programs who participate in this educational endeavor.