March 3, 2011 - 5:06pm
Student to be awarded money from Astronaut Scholarship Foundation by Al Worden
BY BETHANY BIRON
Al Worden — a University alumnus and command module pilot for Apollo 15 — will be awarding a $10,000 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation to LSA senior David Montague this Thursday, according to a press statement released by University News Service.
Montague is a mathematics major whose research in number theory has been showcased in various publications and presentations. He will be receiving the largest merit scholarship given in America to undergraduates in math and engineering, the release stated.
In addition to giving the scholarship, Worden will also talk about his mission with Apollo 15. Worden holds the record for “farthest-from-earth” space walk after totaling about 300 hours in space during his time on Apollo 15, according to the release. He graduated from the University 1963 and holds a Master of Science degree in astronautical engineering and instrumentation engineering.
NASA selected Worden among a team of 19 astronauts in April 1966, including 2 other alumni — Commander David Scott and Lunar Module pilot Jim Irwin. After the team blasted off on July 26, 1971, Worden orbited around the moon for 3 days alone, in addition to having the “farthest-from-earth” space walk.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation was established by the Mercury Astronauts in 1984 as a non-profit organization aimed toward helping America preserve world leadership in science and technology through awarding scholarships to students studying in these areas, according to the release.
