KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 9, 2022

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy awarded four Kennesaw State students scholarships through its University Nuclear Leadership Program (UNLP) for the upcoming school year.

The program aims to invest in the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers, and the following students, all in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET), represent KSU as award winners: Simon Bratescu, Kofi Owusu, Evan Pudlo and Anthony Schanie.

“These DOE scholarships are a wonderful opportunity to reward our talented students who are passionate about the field of nuclear engineering,” Lori Lowder, SPCEET’s associate dean for academic affairs, said. “The funds allow students to earn a minor in nuclear engineering that they may not otherwise be able to obtain. The scholarship and minor make a SPCEET graduate more competitive for positions in an industry where there is a need for future leaders who will develop innovative nuclear engineering solutions.”

The scholarships can be used toward students’ tuition, books and fees for the 2022-2023 school year.

“I am extremely proud of our students who were honored with this prestigious scholarship,” said Eduardo Farfan, professor of nuclear engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “The nuclear power industry faces an aging workforce, and the DOE’s support of our undergraduate students will promote the transfer of knowledge to the next generation.” 

For Schanie, the scholarship will ease the burden of paying for tuition and give him a desired connection with the DOE. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering and aspires to work for one of the DOE national laboratories to innovate new nuclear technologies. 

“KSU, its faculty members and my peers in the Kennesaw Nuclear Society have been very helpful in reaching my educational goals by investing in me and supporting me,” Schanie said. 

Bratescu, who is also a member of the KSU Journey Honors College, said the scholarship will allow him to focus more on his studies and become more involved in research groups at Kennesaw State.

“All of the professors I’ve met thus far at KSU have challenged me to think in different ways and expand on my ideas,” he said. “Their efforts have greatly helped me as I become more involved in my nuclear coursework.”

Pudlo said several of his professors, including Farfan, have been instrumental in opening his eyes to opportunities in the nuclear engineering field. 

“I am grateful for this scholarship, which will allow me to focus on my studies without the added pressure of working during the upcoming school year,” Pudlo said. 

According to the UNLP, nuclear energy currently provides about 20 percent of the country’s electricity and 52 percent of its clean energy. The federal government set new goals for the United States to reach 100 percent clean electricity by 2025 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“The DOE is empowering the next generation of scientists and engineers who can find nuclear energy solutions that ultimately lower emissions with even greater performance than today’s very capable technologies,” said Andrew Griffith, acting assistant secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy.

– Abbey O’Brien Barrows

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.