Bennet Outland, a junior studying mechanical engineering with a focus on
robotics at South Dakota Mines, has been awarded a DoD SMART scholarship.
Bennet
Outland, a junior studying mechanical
engineering with a focus on robotics at South Dakota Mines, has been awarded
the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for
Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.
The
highly competitive award provides Outland with full tuition for up to five years,
mentorship, a summer internship, a stipend and full-time employment with the
Department of Defense after graduation. Outland will pursue an accelerated master's
in computer science and engineering at Mines following completion of his
mechanical engineering degree. After graduation, Outland will work at Air Force
Research Lab Space Vehicles Directorate in Kirtland AFB, NM.
The
DoD says the SMART scholarship is a unique opportunity offering “students
hands-on experience at one of over 200 innovative laboratories across the Army,
Navy, Air Force and larger Department of Defense. During summer internships,
SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable
technical skills.”
“I
am humbled and excited to have been awarded this scholarship,” says Outland. “What
mainly excites me about this work is that I get to merge my interests together
in a way that I never thought I would be able to do. Currently, I am doing
research in orbital dynamics, determining how objects orbit others in space and
what happens to them over time, and projects in robotics. Through working for
the Space Vehicles Directorate, I get to apply both of these by working on a
satellite system.”
The
DoD states the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is part of its effort to “develop
the Nation's STEM talent and is the largest employer of federal scientists and
engineers with nearly 150,000 civilian STEM employees working across the
Department. For over a decade, SMART has trained a highly skilled STEM
workforce that competes with the evolving trends of industry to support the
next generation of science and technology for our nation.”
“We’re
very proud of Bennet and his accomplishments to date,” says Pierre Larochelle,
Ph.D., department head and professor of mechanical engineering at Mines. “This
award provides Bennet with the financial resources to fully focus on his
education while at South Dakota Mines and be best prepared for what promises to
be a very impactful career advancing cutting-edge technologies for our nations
Department of Defense.”