The University of South Carolina’s own Vernon Pryor was awarded a distinguished 2015 Department of Defense SMART (Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation) Scholarship.
Pryor is a second-year electrical engineering student and a current recipient of the LIFE Scholarship. He has experience interning at SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic in Charleston.
According to their website, smart.asee.org, SMART Scholarship for Service Program is geared toward students who are studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and the award includes a full scholarship and guaranteed employment after graduation. The hopeful result of the program’s efforts is essentially an increase in civilian scientists and engineers in Department of Defense laboratories, according to a press release by USC’s Office of Fellowships and Scholar Programs.
As a recipient of the scholarship (one of only 207 out of 1,800), Pryor is additionally awarded with a living stipend, summer research internships and mentoring. Upon graduation, Pryor plans to work for the Department of Defense in the Navy.