ALBANY, N.Y. (May 18, 2007) -- David Cook, a University at Albany sophomore majoring in atmospheric science, has received the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hollings Scholarship Award in Atmospheric Science, which provides academic assistance for full-time study and a 10-week summer internship at NOAA or partner facility.
Cook, a Shaker High School graduate from Latham, was also recently named the top ranked undergraduate student weather forecaster in the U.S. after participation in the WxChallenge, a national collegiate forecasting contest held this past semester. The competition was open to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, as well as higher education faculty and staff.
The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship program was established to honor retiring Senator Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C.). Known to the public through its subsidiary, the National Weather Service, NOAA awards approximately 100 Hollings scholarships annually to juniors majoring in a discipline area related to oceanic, environmental, biological, social, physical, and atmospheric sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, computer and information sciences, hydrology, geomatics, and teacher education. Cook is the third consecutive recipient from UAlbany.
Cook, who also received a Presidential Scholars Award from the University, plans to use the Hollings Scholarship Award to pay for his college tuition and expenses. In the future, Cook looks to pursue research on severe weather events, including tornadoes and tropical systems.
The Hollings Scholarship internship provides "hands-on" multidisciplinary educational training experience involving scholars in NOAA-related scientific, research, technological, policy, management, and education activities.
Established in 1970, NOAA is a federal science agency in the Department of Commerce whose mission is "to understand and predict changes in Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet our Nation's economic, social, and environmental needs."
