Los Alamos, NM – June 12, 2012 – Merrick and Company (www.merrick.com) a local engineering firm, has announced the award of the first Merrick Engineering Scholarship in collaboration with University of New Mexico, Los Alamos (UNM-LA). Merrick awarded the scholarship to Ms. Santana Garcia-Chang of Los Alamos. Ms. Garcia-Chang is a 2011 graduate of Questa High School and she is currently attending UNM-LA in pursuit of her Civil Engineering degree. The scholarship award was presented by Merrick Vice President and Los Alamos Office Manager Scott Gustafson and UNM-LA Dean of Instruction Dr. Kate Massengale. Merrick was also represented by Chairman and CEO Ralph W. Christie, Jr and Vice President Nuclear Services & Technology John Buckle.

The scholarship program was initiated on June 1, 2010 by Merrick Vice President Scott Gustafson and UNM-LA Executive Director Dr. Cedric Page. Both parties shared a mutual desire to attract engineering talent in northern New Mexico in support of the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) mission. The scholarship recognizes the shared goals of LANL, UNM-LA and Merrick. The scholarship will increase enrollment at UNM-LA and provide Merrick with degreed engineers. Since most of Merrick’s Los Alamos office work supports LANL, the lab will directly benefit from the additional capabilities at Merrick. In addition, there is expectation high school students interested in engineering will be encouraged to pursue the profession with the local financial support that is now available.
The incentive for such collaboration originates with the US Department of Energy – Los Alamos National Security, LLC contract for management and operations of LANL. The contract encourages LANS and their subcontractors to support northern New Mexico through diverse initiatives, which include pro bono technical assistance to the region’s small businesses, support for civic and charitable organizations and financial and other support to northern New Mexico educational entities.

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The scholarship program is for students pursuing a degree in civil, structural, mechanical or electrical engineering. In addition, scholarship recipients will be eligible to work as paid interns at Merrick in Los Alamos and other Merrick offices. More information on the scholarship and an on-line application form can be found at http://www.la.unm.edu/SSC/scholarships.html.
Merrick & Company is a $120 million engineering, architecture, design-build, surveying, and geospatial solutions firm, serving domestic and international clients in the energy, national security, life sciences, and sustainable infrastructure markets. The firm is committed to sustainable design and construction practices through its 60+ LEED-accredited professionals and is continually expanding its in-house resources to serve tomorrow’s needs. The employee-owned company maintains 10 offices in the U.S. as well as offices in Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.
More information about Merrick & Company is located at the Merrick & Company Newsroom.