A University of Southern Maine student from Durham has been named a recipient of a National Science Foundation STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scholarship.

Aaron L. Vail, son of Lisa Chirnitch of Durham and Corey Vail of Clinton, graduated from Pine Tree Academy in Freeport in 2009. Vail transferred from Southern Maine Community College to USM and is now majoring in technology management.

The scholarships are made possible thanks to $592,000 in support from the National Science Foundation, and additional funding from USM. This year, 19 incoming freshmen students and transfers from Maine Community Colleges who have met academic and financial criteria have been awarded up to $5,000 in scholarship money.

Scholarships will be made available for all four years at USM, provided students make satisfactory academic progress. Transfer student scholarships are for three years.

The scholarship program is designed to improve educational opportunities for academically talented and financially needy incoming freshmen students and transfers who are interested in STEM careers in computer science, engineering, environmental science and technology management.

Nineteen students are enrolled at USM this fall, but when fully implemented, the program will improve educational opportunities for up to 41 incoming USM freshmen and community college transfer students.

Aaron Vail of Durham recently received a National Science Foundation scholarship.
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