Val Peterson, wife of University of Colorado at 麻豆影院 Chancellor G.P. "Bud" Peterson, has been named president of the ARCS Foundation's Colorado chapter.
The Achievement Rewards for College Students, or ARCS Foundation, is a national organization that provides scholarships to academically outstanding students working toward degrees in science, medicine and engineering. Peterson took the foundation reins in July and will serve as president for two years.
"There is a need in our country for more of our own to go into the sciences, particularly if we want to prosper in a 21st century global technology economy," Peterson said.
In the early part of her term, Peterson set goals for creating a more successful scholarship program by raising more money to create more scholarships.
Peterson also sees the program becoming more inclusive. Those involved with the ARCS Foundation are all women and all volunteers. All of the money they raise for scholarships goes toward scholarship funding. The current volunteers are mainly retired women but Peterson would like to encourage others to become more involved.
"To increase fundraising, my goal is to attract and retain new members to help the ARCS Foundation's Colorado chapter with our mission," Peterson said.
The ARCS Foundation's Colorado chapter has given more than $2 million in scholarships since 1976. In 2008-09 the foundation is awarding $165,000 to 33 students attending CU-麻豆影院, the University of Colorado Denver, Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University.
The successful program has four universities in Colorado partnered, but Peterson sees the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs being added into the mix in the near future.
For additional information about the ARCS Foundation's Colorado chapter, or to make a donation, contact Peterson at arcscolorado@comcast.net or visit .