SOPHOMORE JAMIE CONNELLY’S ESSAY EARNS ACCLAIM
Jamie Connelly, a second-year student in the Biomedical Engineering Technology program at Penn State New Kensington, is the 2012-13 recipient of the TechNation scholarship. The award was based on an essay written by the student. Connelly’s winning essay was published in the July issue of TechNation magazine by MD Publishing.
A single mother of two boys, Connelly juggles family responsibilities and academic requirements, providing a nurturing atmosphere at home while maintaining the regimented schedule in the classroom. She expects to graduate in 2013.
“I absolutely love the learning experience, and I have been fortunate to work with Professor (Myron) Hartman,” said Connelly, who is president of the BET Club, a student organization. “During my first year, he gave me the chance to study some of the equipment in the lab. He is always available for questions or comments, and he treats his students like family.”
Hartman is the program coordinator of the campus’ BET program. The associate degree program trains students to operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair medical equipment. The curriculum includes hands-on medical equipment instruction that covers operation, inspection procedures, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting.
Connelly’s interest in the biomedical field was piqued in high school when she attended the FIRSTE (Females Interested in Reaching for Science, Technology and Engineering) program at the New Kensington campus. FIRSTE is a two-day summer program that targets potential college-bound ninth-through-11th grade girls who are considering a career in science, technology or engineering. The object of the program is to foster involvement of girls in these traditionally male fields by reaching them during the career-formative years of high school. The program celebrated its 20th anniversary in May.
The TechNation scholarship was established in 2011 by Hartman, who is on the editorial board for two of MD Publishing's magazines, Medical Dealer and TechNation. In addition, Hartman writes three articles a year for TechNation. His yearly stipend for the articles and funding from John Kreig, publisher of MD Publishing, supports the awards. Based in Peachtree City, Georgia, the publishing company is an online source for dealers and manufacturers of medical and surgical equipment.
To read Connelly’s essay, visit http://1technation.com/technation-myron-hartman-scholarship-winner/ online.
For more on the BET program, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Academics/Degrees/bet.html online.