Navy Recruiting, ROTC Students Honored at NSBE Golden Torch Awards

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (AW/SW) Jeremy J. Siegrist, Navy Recruiting District Pittsburgh Public Affairs

PITTSBURGH (NNS) -- Five Navy-bound college students took home more than $591,000 worth of scholarships during the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) 15th Annual Golden Torch Awards ceremony March 31.

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) annual convention concluded three days of events with the special awards ceremony honoring outstanding academic achievement and community and cultural responsibility. The Navy was honored as the diamond sponsor of the awards ceremony.

Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, provided the keynote address for the awards event. Speaking on the extensive ongoing relationship between the Navy and NSBE, Greenert noted the distinct similarities of both organizations.

"They share the same values as our Navy - values of dedication, leadership, and a commitment to values and that is what we are looking for," said Greenert.

The Golden Torch Awards are designed to highlight the accomplishments of distinguished black engineers and technical professionals, as well as college-bound students. Rear Adm. Earl L. Gay, commander, Navy Recruiting Command, joined Greenert in presenting five Navy ROTC scholarship checks to Taykor Mitchman, Gafar Odufuye, Quincy Benbow, Domenick Brunner and Dominique Wilson in front of more than three thousand audience members.

In addition, The Gene Washington Champion of Champions award was presented to Navy Recruiting Commands Diversity Director, Commander Roy Harrison. Harrison, in a moment of humility, acknowledged and re-presented his award to Navy Recruiting Command Chief Navy Counselor Steven Martin. The Champion of Champions award, named after former Minnesota Viking Gene Washington, is presented to one individual each year for their outstanding service to NSBE.

The award ceremony was the culmination of three days of events featuring displays from hundreds of agencies and companies looking for some of the best and brightest engineering students in the world. Greenert was pleased at the caliber of students attending this year's NSBE conference and the opportunity to connect those students to attending Navy recruiters.

"The Navy is all about technology; aeronautical engineering, technical engineering, nuclear engineering," said Greenert. "Every medium we operate in is technical, so it is all about connecting those kids, and having them come in to our Navy and design and repair and maintain our Navy. That is our future."

The three days of events began March 28 with a job fair, the first hour of which was specific to those students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The highly competitive attendees impressed Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Pittsburgh recruiters, who had no problem finding a multitude of highly qualified applicants to speak with. A second career fair was held on day two, with an entire hour dedicated for outstanding high school students.

Also highlighting the second day of events was a workshop by Capt. Cynthia I. Macri, special assistant to the chief of naval operations for diversity. An accomplished doctor, Macri presented, "Special Delivery! The intersection of Health, Medicine, & Engineering: Adventures in Robotics." Macri's presentation connected the disciplines of engineering and medicine together in a way that was engaging and interactive for all students attending. Using a series of simulation stations, Macri provided opportunities to students to use medical tools and techniques that ranged from surgical manipulation to modern birthing techniques.

NSBE was established in 1975 to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and impact the community positively.