ECE student wins IEEE Estey scholarship

Mary Scherer, an sophomore major in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has received the John W. Estey Outstanding Scholar Award from IEEE.

The Estey Award is given annually to the top PES Scholar in each of the six IEEE U.S. regions and Canada.

Scherer's main interest is in humanitarian engineering. The Elyria, Ohio, native hopes to use her skills as an engineer to help others and improve the world.

She is expected to graduate in May 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a minor in Humanitarian Engineering. She has interned at Mayan Families nonprofit organization piloting a STEM Education program in Panajachel, Guatemala and has been working with Humanitarian Engineering Scholars to set up an engineering service trip there. She is the Secretary of IEEE Student Branch Chapter at Ohio State University. She also leads two project teams for Engineers for Community Services where she provides technological assistance to local food pantries and individuals in the Columbus community. She has been active member of the Women in Engineering Outreach and Service and Casual Connect groups and volunteered with Ohio State STEM Education Outreach.

The award includes a scholarship for school expenses (tuition, books, student fees, etc.); 12 months of IEEE and IEEE PES Student Membership; and up to $1,000 in travel honorarium to attend the IEEE PES Annual Meeting.

Only IEEE PES Scholars are eligible to be considered for this award. These individuals were selected by industry and academic representatives who reviewed the applicants and selected the top PES Scholar from their Region based on academic preparation; extra-curricular activities and leadership; interest in engineering in general, and power and energy engineering in particular; technical quality of application; and overall assessment of student's potential for a successful power and energy engineering career.

This award has been made possible by the support of the S&C Foundation. It  is named after John W. Estey, one of only three Chief Executive Officers in S&C Electric Company's 100-year history. He is an IEEE Fellow, a past Director of IEEE and past IEEE Power & Energy Society President. S&C Electric Company is a global provider of equipment and services for electric power systems. Founded in 1911, the Chicago-based company designs and manufactures switching and protection products for electric power transmission and distribution.