Class of '72 Scholarship Fund Recipients
 MIT
CLASS of 1972
CLASS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
As of March 2000, the Scholarship Fund has
received a total of $368,047 in gifts. This has been invested and has a current
market value of $859,384. A total of $91,822 has been awarded to students as
grants from the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund.
2005-2006 Recipients of the Class of 1972
Scholarship Fund
I am delighted to report the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund recipients for
2005/2006. Tina Lai '09 of Holbrook, New York, has been named as a new
class scholar, while Michael Beltran '07 of Downers Grove, Illinois,
will continue as class scholar for the current academic year.
Tina Lai '09 was very active in her high school community. She was a varsity
cross country, and winter and spring track and field team athlete, and was involved
with the concert band, Spanish club, robotics team, school newspaper, and varsity
club. She participated in student government, the National Honor Society, the
Zenith Honor Society, and the National Foreign Language Honor Society, and won
various awards including the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete, a gold award for NYSSMA
band, and the Principal's Award in various subjects. She also was very active
in community service through Helping Hands for homeless children, the Thanksgiving
Food Drive, helping out at the homecoming parade and pep rally, at a water stop
in Entenmann's Great South Bay Marathon, and at the Relay for Life for the American
Cancer Society. Over the summer, she worked as a cashier at Panera Bread Co.
and volunteered at a summer running camp. She enjoys live musical performances,
dancing, creating things, and cooking. She plans a career in civil engineering.
Mechanical engineering major Michael Beltran '07 is the house manager of Phi
Delta Theta fraternity and is very involved with the Formula SAE competition
sponsored by MIT Motorsports. He worked on an Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Program (UROP) project with the Institute for Soldier Nanotechnology in ballistic
armor testing in the summer of 2004. This past summer, he had an internship
at General Motors Corporation in the manufacturing division. He is very interested
in automotives, and plans a career in the automotive industry, specifically
with racing technology.
As you know, support from the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund helps MIT maintain
its commitment to admitting the best and brightest students, regardless of need.
On behalf of the Alumni Association and the Institute, I send sincere thanks
for the Class of 1972's contributions to this fund.
If you would like to meet with Tina or Michael, please let me know. Thank you
again for your support.
Sincerely,
Monica L. Ellis '91
Director, MIT Alumni Fund
617.253.0743; monicam@mit.edu
2004-2005 Recipients of the Class of 1972
Scholarship Fund
I am delighted to report the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund recipients for
2004/2005. Michael Beltran '07 of Downers Grove, Illinois, has been named
as a new class scholar, while Christina Fuentes '05 of Plantation, Florida,
will continue as class scholar for the current academic year.
Michael Beltran '07 is a mechanical engineering major and the house manager
of his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. Last year, he was a member of the MIT Formula
Society of Automotive Engineers design group, working on intake design, supervising
manufacturing, and participating in competitions. Over the summer, he participated
in an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) project at the Institute
for Soldier Nanotechnology where he focused on developing force warrior armor
and doing ballistic impact experimentation. His interests include automotive
technology, specifically with the engine and power train, as well as design
manufacturing techniques and machining. He enjoys rollerblading in his spare
time, and plans a career in mechanical engineering and the automotive industry.
Brain and cognitive sciences major Christina Fuentes '05 has participated in
a number of UROP projects and is a biomedical engineering minor. She is currently
working on a UROP project in the Corkin Lab for Brain and Cognitive Sciences,
and has also worked at the Pinker Lab, in BCS as well. Over the summer, she
had an internship conducting biomedical research at Stanford University. She
enjoys weightlifting and photography in her free time, and plans a career in
medicine, biomedical research, and neuroscience.
As you know, support from the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund helps MIT maintain
its commitment to admitting the best and brightest students, regardless of need.
On behalf of the Alumni Association and the Institute, I send sincere thanks
for the Class of 1972's contributions to this fund.
If you would like to meet with Michael or Christina, please let me know. Thank
you again for your support.
Sincerely,
Monica L. Ellis '91
Director, MIT Alumni Fund
617.253.0743; monicam@mit.edu
2003-2004 Recipients of the Class of 1972
Scholarship Fund
I am delighted to report the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund recipients for
2003/2004. James Rotchford '04 of Chester, Virginia, Lean Premo '04 of Anoka,
Minnesota, and Christina Fuentes '05 of Plantation, Florida, will continue as
class scholars for the current academic year.
James Rotchford, a management major, is the house president of his fraternity
at MIT, Theta Chi, and is involved in many intramural sports. He participates
in various community service activities through his fraternity such as the Walk
for Hunger. Over the summer, he worked as an intern for Electric Power, Inc.
in his hometown. He enjoys cooking, traveling, and playing sports in his free
time, and plans a career in business.
Leah Premo, an economics major, is the president of the women's rugby team
at MIT. She also is the CD manager and arranger of the Chorallaries, an a cappella
group. Leah has held a variety of jobs in the past such as working as an internal
auditing intern, an 0n-site shipping intern, and most recently, as an intern
at Corporate Commissions of Grand Casion Millelacs in Onamia, Minnesota. She
enjoys playing the violin, singing, working out, and playing rugby in her spare
time. She plans a career in law and teaching.
Christina Fuentes, a brain and cognitive sciences major, is a member of the
Brain and Cognitive Sciences Society and the Biomedical Engineering Society
of MIT. Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program, she has worked
on the Twins Study project under the supervision of Steven Pinker. In her spare
time, she enjoys weightlifting and reading. She is interested in photography
and scrapbooks, and plans a career in biomedical engineering and neurological
research.
As you know, support from the Class of 1972 helps MIT maintain its commitment
to admitting the best and brightest students, regardless of need. On behalf
of the Alumni Association and the Institute, I tend sincere thanks for the Class
of 1972's contributions to this fund.
Monica L. Ellis '91
Director, MIT Alumni Fund
2002-2003 Recipients of the Class of
1972 Scholarship Fund
The recipents are the same as last year (Leah Premo, '04, Christina Fuentes,
'05 and James Rotchford, '04) . Rather than repeat their biographical information,
two letters from Christina Fuentes, '05, are printed below. The first is after
receiving the funds last year, and the second is when she learned she would
be receiving the funds again this year.
From the 2001-2002 year:
Dear Ms. Kellermann,
I just received an email from Ms. Susan Wilson informing me that a portion
of my financial aid this year was provided by the Class of 1972. I am honored
that you and your former classmates chose me to be one of your scholars.
I would like to share with you a bit about myself. I am not quite sure what
you know about me already, so I am going to assume nothing. Well, I am from
South Florida (near Fort Lauderdale), where I have lived all my life. In fact,
coming to MIT for Campus Preview Weekend was the first time I had ever been
in a plane and the first time I had ever left Florida.
MIT was my top choice in schools, as well as my boyfriend's top choice. Yes,
my boyfriend and I came together to MIT from our high school - we're actually
getting ready to celebrate our four-year anniversary (very exciting!).
I think MIT is amazing. I came from what I like to call a "big dumb public
school." So many students here take for granted everything that MIT is
- I feel enlightened just walking through the halls. Lectures are like nothing
I have ever experienced before, and as I struggle to keep pace, I feel wonderfully
overwhelmed by the knowledge I am being given.
While trying to maintain my academic performance, I have also tried to expand
myself into new extracurricular activities. Out of nowhere I decided to try
a martial art. I began by taking Taekwondo as a PE credit my first quarter and
have since become an active member in the Sport Taekwondo Club (I'm competing
in my first tournament on April 6 at Columbia!). I also keep busy by attending
my boyfriend's baseball games (I am his number one fan, of course). Next year
I will be moving into Simmons Hall, MIT's brandnew dorm, where I plan on becoming
involved in the dorm's committees.
As for my major, I am pretty sure that I am going to do Course 9, Brain and
Cognitive Sciences, with a minor in biomedical engineering. I have always loved
studying the brain and cognitive theories, but my only fear is that the job
market may be limited. I have decided to go ahead with something I enjoy, however,
and see where it takes me.
I thank you again for your financial help and hope to learn more about you
and your class's activities. I am best reached at CFuentes@mit.edu
(I am using this address because I am currently home for spring break). Take
care :o)
Sincerely,
Christina Fuentes
From the most recent year:
Dear Ms. Kellermann,
I recently received an email informing me that once again much of my grants
have been made possible by the Class of 1972. I again want to express my appreciation
and update you on my life here at MIT.
My first year in my major has confirmed my choice - I love my classes. As a
Brain and Cognitive Sciences major (with a Biomedical Engineering minor), I
have been taking many biology/neuroscience classes. The introductory neuroscience
class that is required for my major (I took it last fall) was my favorite class
so far and has geared me in the direction of neuroscience, which will be my
concentration. I am thrilled by the thought of combining my major concentration
with my minor and researching patients who suffer from neurological disorders
and helping to improve their lifes.
With that said, you can understand how excited I was to discover that I have
been accepted into the National Institutes of Health summer internship program
in biomedical engineering. I will be working in the National Institute for Neurological
Disorders and Stroke, and the particular lab I will be in studies patients suffering
from frontal lobe damage. In addition to the incredible working experience,
I will be spending 10 weeks in Washington, D.C., which I have never visited
before. Needless to say, I'm ecstatic :o)
I have also spent the year doing a UROP in Professor Steven Pinker's Twins Study
Lab. Although a great opportunity, the work I've been doing is pretty much secretarial.
With Professor Pinker leaving to Harvard this summer, I am hoping to work in
a more neuroscience-based lab next year, especially after gaining experience
this summer.
As far as extracurricular activities go, I decided at the beginning of this
year to no longer do Tae Kwon Do. I felt that, although I had progressed to
a green belt in a year, I didn't really know as much as I was hoping to. The
club kind of rushed members through training, and,
perhaps more influential in my decision, it was too time-consuming to allow
me to workout on my own. Since high school I have weight-lifted regularly, and
I found myself really missing it last year. This year, then, I returned to my
routine of lifting weights three to four times a week and doing cardiovascular
activities in between lifting. With the new fitness center that opened this
year, going to the gym is a pleasure, and I feel that I am benefiting much more
with my workout schedule this year than I did last year. I have also remained
a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society and joined the Brain and Cognitive
Sciences Society.
If you or any other member of the Class of 1972 is interested in any other information
or would just like to contact me, I would be more than happy to have the email
correspondence. Thank you again for helping to give me the opportunity to attend
such a inspiring school.
Sincerely,
Christina Fuentes
2001-2002 Recipients of the Class of
1972 Scholarship Fund
The recipients are Leah Premo, '04, Christina Fuentes, '05 and James Rotchford,
'04
Leah Premo and Jame Rotchford continue the support they received last year,
whereas this is the first year of support for Christina Fuentes.
Christina, who has not yet decided on a major, is a spring graduate of Plantation
High School where she was president of the ecology club for three years and
editor-in-chief of the newspaper as a senior. She notes she enjoys physical
activity and was a varsity flag football player and weight lifter while in high
school. She has volunteered regularly at local nature centers. This summer Christina
compiled an operations manual while working for a dentist. She plans a career
in engineering or medicine.
James Rotchford, who is majoring in management, has joined Theta Chi fraternity
and lives at the house in Boston. He plays intramural football, basketball and
hockey with the Theta Chi teams and is the empolyee supervisor for the house.
James worked in Richmond this summer and is planning a career in business.
Leah Premo, who is also majoring in management, has settled into MacGregor
House at MIT. She continues to hone her ability with the violin and maintains
her interest in singing. She has also taken up Rugby in her spare time.
2000-2001 Recipients of the
Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund
The recipients are Leah Premo, '04 and James Rotchford, '04
Leah Premo, '04, who graduated last spring from Anoka High school,
achieved an All-State and All-Conference Superior Rating for her violin playing
during her four years. Quite a musician, she taught violin during the year as
a way to help finance her education. In addition to these extracurricular activities,
she was a member of the All-Conference Championship Math League and the National
Honor Society. She also was involved with the American Indian Parent Commission.
Over the summer, she enjoyed participating in the All-State Orchestra Camp and
the MIT Introduction to Engineering and Science Program (MITES). Here at MIT,
she is a member of the Chorallaries. Besides singing, she has participated in
the women's rugby team and continues to play the violin in her spare time. She
looks forward to her upcoming years at MIT, where she plans to double major
in Economics and Management.
James Rotchford, '04 comes to MIT from the Governor's School in
Richmond, Virginia where he was the Captain of the baseball team and a volunteer
soccer coach. He won distinction as an All-District football player and served
as Captain of the football team. He also was a four year member of the school
jazz band and Treasurer of the Latin Club. He worked as a clerk at a local pharmacy.
Over the summer, he organized a drug-free work zone with the Greater Richmond
Chamber of Commerce. Here at MIT, he is eager to explore all that MIT has to
offer before choosing a specific career path.
1999-2000 Recipient of
the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund
The recipient is Sarh Cohen, '00
I just learned that Sarah Cohen '00, a biology major from Davis, California,
will continue as the Class of 1972 Scholar for 1999-2000. It gives me great
pleasure to give you an update on her activities at MIT. Sarah, who is a senior,
is now President of the Shakespeare Ensemble. She also continues to be very
invested in Dramashop. In addition to acting in "Measure for Measure" and "Pericles,"
she serves as part of the backstage crew for some other productions. Over the
summer, she successfully directed a children's production of "A Midsummer Night's
Dream" in California. Although she has not yet chosen a specific career path,
I understand from the financial aid office that she is enthusiastic about the
range of possibilities.
1998-1999 Recipients of the Class
of 1972 Scholarship Fund
The recipients are Sarah Cohen and Michael Leonida, who were renewed from last year.
The recipients of the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund have been determined for the 1998/99 academic year. Both Sarah Cohen and Michael Leonida have been renewed from last. The following is a little bit about their current activities at MIT.
Sarah Cohen is a junior from Davis, California. She has changed her major from math (course 18) to biology (course 7). Sarah is still undecided about her career plans, but is doing very well academically. This past summer, she remained on campus to continue her work as a lab assistant in the Ocean Engineering Teaching Lab. In her spare time, she remains actively involved in theater, especially the MIT Shakespeare Ensemble and Dramashop.
Michael Leonida, from Garfield, NJ, is now a senior and continues to thrive
in his computer science and engineering major (course 6.3) and maintains a near
perfect grade point average. Michael is considering the 5th year master's program
before launching a career in some area of the computer industry. During the
summer, he interned for InterSystems Corp. of Cambridge. Outside of the classroom,
Michael is very involved in his fraternity (Nu Delta) and plays both varsity
soccer and junior varsity tennis. He is also a member of Tau Beta Pi society.
1997-1998 Recipients of the Class
of 1972 Scholarship Fund
The recipients are Sarah Cohen and Michael Leonida.
The recipients of the Class of 1972 Scholarship Fund for the 1997/98 academic year
have been determined. Their names are Sarah Cohen and Michael Leonida, and they
replace Angela Chang, who graduated in June, and Jeremy Berquist, who decided not
to return to MIT this fall. The following is a little bit about their activities at MIT.
Sarah Cohen is a sophomore math major from Davis, California. As a freshman, she
became involved in a number of extracurricular activities, especially those involved
with on-campus theatre. She has performed and worked backstage for the MIT
Shakespeare Ensemble, and was a performer in the Roadkill Buffet improvisational
group. To help out with her educational expenses, Sarah works several hours a
week for the Admissions Office Reception Center and also works a couple of nights
a week for the Lecture Series Committee. For recreation, she plays intramural soccer.
Michael Leonida, a junior from Garfield, NJ, is an electrical engineering and computer
science major. Michael also works several hours each week. His position began as
an internship (the summer after his freshman year) with a high-tech company in
Cambridge. Michael enjoys all sorts of intramural sports, especially soccer and
tennis, and serves as the athletic chair for Nu Delta fraternity. He also enjoys
collecting baseball cards and playing chess. Michael hopes to pursue his education
to the level of Ph.D. and hopes for an academic career in teaching and research.
1996-1997 Recipients of the Class
of 1972 Scholarship Fund
The recipients are Angela Chang and Jeremy Berquist.
Angela Chang is a junior from Hileah, FL and is majoring in course 2 (mechanical engineering).
She served as last year's president of the Burton-Conner executive committee and also on the
UA Judicial Review Board. She interned last summer at Cummins Engine in Columbus, OH and
is currently involved in a UROP with Professor Alexander Slocum of the Mechanical
Engineering Department that is working to develop a robot. Outside of her school work, Angela
participates in the Solar Car Club and enjoys playing intramural sports (especially badminton and
volleyball). Angela hopes to pursue a master's degree and a career in industry.
Jeremy Berquist, a sophomore from Erie, PA, has recently declared a major in course 18
(mathematics) and hopes eventually to earn a Ph.D. degree. Outside of the classroom, Jeremy is
active in Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and participates in various community service projects
(such as LINKS) that are coordinated through the fraternity. In addition, he works at the junior
class donut stand in order to earn money for his educational expenses and plays on a variety of
intramural teams (in particular, basketball, baseball, and football).
1990-1996 Recipients of the Class of 1972 Scholarship
Fund
90/91 - Hollister Herhold
91/92 - Michael Kreuze
92/93 - Michael Kreuze
93/94 - Nena Leko
94/95 - Nena Leko
95/96 - Elmer Lee
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