Mechanical Engineering Alumnus Awarded Jefferson Fellowship

Department of Mechanical Engineering alumnus Jeffrey Braun '12 has been awarded the Jefferson Fellowship by the Scholars Foundation, University of Virginia’s premier graduate fellowship. Braun is one of 17 recipients of the fellowship, and he was selected from a pool of 60 nominees spanning six countries.

According to the Jefferson Scholars Foundation website, "The fundamental mission of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation is to identify, attract and nurture individuals of extraordinary intellectual range and depth who possess the highest qualities of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship." To be considered for the fellowship, submitters must present exceptional potential in scholarship, citizenship and leadership. “Nominees must demonstrate their potential to become extraordinary leaders in cutting-edge technology development in the nation and around the world,” as well as demonstrate superior intelligence and academic excellence.

As part of the fellowship, Braun will receive a living stipend of $30,000, renewable for five years, research funds up to $2,500, full tuition remittance and health insurance. According to Jefferson Scholars Foundation's Director of the Graduate Program William Wilson, "We look forward to welcoming Jeffrey to this dynamic academic community and are eager to see the mark he makes not only on the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, but also on the university."

During his four years at Maryland, Braun was the recipient of the Charles R. Dodson Endowed Scholarship and the E. Robert Kent Merit Scholarship, a member of Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering society and graduated cum laude.

This fall, Braun will begin studies at the University of Virginia School of Engineering & Applied Science as a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Published June 13, 2014