In August, the chapter celebrated more than three decades of awarding scholarships to exceptional STEM students. The event, hosted by the San Diego AFCEA Education Committee, took place on the 34th floor of a downtown high-rise, with a sweeping 180-degree view of the city as the backdrop. More than 80 attendees filled the room. At the front, a large screen projected a feed of Matt Dominick, a NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy commander, and a 2003 AFCEA scholarship recipient who returned 22 years later. His background is a striking photo he had taken from orbit during his recent mission.
Fresh from his eight-month tour aboard the International Space Station, Dominick distilled his life advice into two essentials: mentorship and discipline. "Find people who will disagree with you and challenge you," he urged, noting that growth often comes from others pushing you. And, discipline, he explained, is about steady, intentional focus on what you want to accomplish. He compared it to having a year to eat five pounds of peanut butter. You can tackle it spoonful by spoonful over time, or wait until the last day and try to swallow it all at once.
When asked about the future of technology, Dominick offered a grounded truth: "Rocket science is easy, but the hardest part is system integration-building something complex with lots of people." As for life in zero gravity, his favorite part: floating to work. His least favorite? Showering-a surprisingly awkward and time-consuming ordeal without gravity's help.
AFCEA San Diego's Education Committee, a 501(c)(3), supports a robust STEM pipeline across San Diego County through scholarships, science fair awards, robotics program support, science teacher grants and technology in schools. Since the early 1990s, more than 200 San Diego students have received scholarships totaling over half a million dollars. Alumni have gone on to serve in defense, technology, space exploration and scientific research worldwide.
Since 2020, the scholarship program has been led by retired school principal, science and math teacher, and biologist Gloria McKearney, recently honored as AFCEAN of the Month and Volunteer of the Year. Her message to students was clear: "Invigorate the world for us."
John Pope, executive director of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, or NAVWAR, reinforced the value of local connections, encouraging the students to consider returning to San Diego after college. "If you choose to come back, we'd love to have you at the Navy," he said, underscoring the importance of channeling knowledge and innovation back into the region's defense and technology sectors.
This year's 11 recipients-all high-achieving San Diego high school seniors-boast GPAs above 4.0 and rigorous Advanced Placement and honors coursework. Their chosen fields range from neuroscience, computer engineering and chemical engineering to environmental engineering, biochemistry and applied computational mathematics.
What began as local support for a young midshipman has grown into a bridge between generations, linking today's students to the challenge of solving the toughest problems on Earth and beyond. "Grow fond of learning and never stop," Dominick told them-a principle he still lives by and urges the next generation to embrace. |
