The Novelis Aluminum STEM Scholarship will provide five $1,400 scholarships to students in EWU\u2019s chemistry, engineering and MESA programs.<\/p>\n
Putnam said she got the idea for the scholarship after noticing several Novelis employees, herself included, are EWU alumni.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have three or four people on the team from EWU,\u201d Putnam said. \u201cI saw what other Novelis locations were doing for their local schools, and it just clicked\u2014since we have this EWU connection, it made perfect sense to support Eastern.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
She brought the idea to her team, where it quickly gained momentum. With Putnam leading the charge, Novelis employees visited the campus, toured the Interdisciplinary Science Center and the newly renovated Science Building, and chatted with faculty to learn more about EWU\u2019s STEM programs and how the university prepares students through applied learning.<\/p>\n
For Putnam, the visit brought back memories of her own hands-on learning experiences, which she now puts into practice every day. At Novelis, she analyzes aluminum samples for impurities, helping ensure the material\u2019s quality before it gets shipped out to major manufacturers, including Coca-Cola, BMW and Jaguar.<\/p>\n
Delaney Putnam conducting a chemistry lab with EWU students in 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n During her return to campus, Putnam rolled up her sleeves and joined students in a working lab \u2014 this time in the Geosciences 462 class taught by recent Trustee Medal of Honor recipient Carmen Nezat, a professor of geosciences and environmental science.<\/p>\n
Students in the lab typically tackle a real-world industry challenge, such as breaking down aluminum samples to find impurities. Watching students work through familiar industry challenges reinforced Putnam\u2019s belief in the value of experiential learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to put into words how important [hands-on opportunities] are \u2014 they really help you be ready for what comes after graduation,\u201d Putnam says.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Putnam also says she\u2019s excited to watch Eastern\u2019s polytechnic programs continue to grow and hopes students will have even more opportunities for hands-on learning in the future.<\/p>\n
For Novelis, this scholarship is about supporting today\u2019s students and building up future talent in STEM fields and the communities where its employees live and work. Megan Durfey, an accounting professional at Novelis, sees these programs as a way to keep the industry strong while giving students a clear path from the classroom to a career.<\/p>\n
\u201cNovelis has always wanted to back STEM initiatives,\u201d Durfey said. \u201cThere just aren\u2019t enough people entering these fields, so we ask ourselves \u2014 how do we encourage and support the next wave of talent?\u201d<\/p>\n
She also pointed out that partnerships between local organizations and universities help students see their career possibilities. \u201cCompanies have to show up for local universities and high schools so students can see what these paths actually lead to,\u201d Durfey adds.<\/p>\n
Putnam feels proud to give something back to the place where it all started. \u201cIt was great to come back and make a difference,\u201d she says. \u201cDr. Nezat was a big part of my experience, and I\u2019m thrilled to support her students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Putnam\u2019s involvement with EWU doesn\u2019t end with the Novelis scholarship; she\u2019s now serving on Eastern\u2019s advisory board for the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics<\/a>.<\/p>\n
After experiencing the value of applied learning herself, Putnam encourages EWU STEM students to embrace the challenges that come with learning and growing: \u201cThere are so many hurdles in college, but those hurdles will set you up well for industries like ours.\u201d<\/p>\n
**Story written by Emilia Klewin.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nHelp Build Futures Through Applied Learning<\/h3>\n
When students have the financial resources to pursue real-world, hands-on learning experiences, they can focus on building the knowledge, skills and connections they need for career success. Support EWU\u2019s $100 million Build Our Future campaign<\/span><\/a> to make these valuable opportunities possible. Your gift can provide scholarships and other resources that help students afford college, stay enrolled, gain meaningful professional experience and prepare for their futures.<\/span><\/p>\n
Donate Now<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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