September 2015

Inside this Issue

Features

• Welcome to our 12th Edition
• From the Chair of the Board,
  Dr. Thomas F. Kelly
• News & Events
• Link Fellows/Interns/Scholars, where are they now?

Meet this Year's Fellowship Recipients

• Energy
• Simulation and Training
• Ocean Engineering
• SmithsonianFellows

THE LINK FOUNDATION

NEWS OF INTEREST AND UPDATES FOR 2015

Link Foundation Board of Trustees and Special Advisors visit Florida Institute of Technology, February 27, 2015

The Link Foundation Board was honored to receive an invitation to meet for their semi-annual Board meeting at Florida Institute of Technology’s renovated Edwin Link Building on Friday, February 27, 2015.  FIT is home to two facilities named after Edwin A. and Marion C. Link, the Edwin Link Building and the Evan’s Library Link Multimedia Room which holds The Edwin A. and Marion Link Special Collections, http://link.lib.fit.edu/cdm/.  During their visit, the Board was privileged to tour these wonderful facilities which pay honor to our founders, Edwin A. and Marion C. Link.

Meet This Year’s Link Fellowship Recipients

Energy Resources Development and Conservation – to find out more about their research, please visit
http://www.binghamton.edu/link-foundation/newsltr/2015/energy.html

 

 

 

Advanced Simulation and Training – to find out more about their research, please visit http://www.binghamton.edu/link-foundation/newsltr/2015/sim.html

 

 

 

Ocean Engineering and Instrumentation – to find out more about their research, please visit http://www.binghamton.edu/link-foundation/newsltr/2015/ocean.html

 

 

 

Smithsonian Fellows – to find out more about their research, please visit http://www.binghamton.edu/link-foundation/newsltr/2015/SmithsonianFellows.html

 

 

 

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University’s Summer Interns Present their Research on July 30, 2015

This past summer, 17 interns from prestigious universities worldwide including Rutgers University, Duke University, Pennsylvania State University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Sᾶo Paulo, participated in the 2015 Summer Intern Program at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University.  During their 10-week internship, top ocean science and engineering student interns from around the world worked alongside a Harbor Branch faculty mentor to devise, develop and complete their independent research projects in Ocean Engineering and Technology, Aquaculture, Marine Mammals, Marine Biology, Microbiology and Marine Natural Products.  At the end of this highly competitive internship, each intern produced a written report and gave an oral presentation on their project to an audience including Harbor Branch faculty and staff, friends of Harbor Branch, program sponsors, and family.

Dr. Dennis Hanisak, Harbor Branch research professor and program director, describes the internship as “a great opportunity for students to experience training in one of our science or engineering labs with faculty mentors and other Harbor Branch staff.  This experience better prepares them for future careers and makes them more competitive for jobs when they graduate.” 

The Harbor Branch Summer Internship Program was launched in 1974 with support from the Link Foundation and continues to be funded primarily by the Link Foundation, with additional support from the Gertrude E. Skelly Charitable Foundation.  The Program, now in its 42nd year, has hosted 580 college and university student from around the world.

The Link Foundation is happy to present the 2015 Harbor Branch/FAU Summer Interns which were supported by the Link Foundation:

Luke Palguta, Catholic University of America
Yanjun Li, Florida Atlantic University
Logan Boyle, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Donald Spragg, Florida Atlantic University
Kyle Smith, U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Jamie Bonino, Ohio Northern University
Stella Coehlo, University of Sᾶo Paulo
Nicholas Brandimarte, Florida Atlantic University
Gabriela Moya Pereira, Rutgers University
Emily Richardson, University of St. Francis
Nancy Sealover, University of Maryland
Alaina Weinheimer, Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Andrew M. Clark, Link Foundation Trustee, was a Harbor Branch Summer Intern in 1979.  You may read more about Dr. Clark on our web link, “Board of Trustees and Special Advisors,” found at http://www.binghamton.edu/link-foundation/trustees.html.

History of the Harbor Branch/FAU Summer Intern Program
Authored by Dr. M. Dennis Hanisak, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University

In 1974, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, then called Harbor Branch Foundation and only three years old at the time, began a summer internship program for college students, launched with funding from the Link Foundation.  At the time, Ed Link, the inventor who had recently designed and built Harbor Branch's Johnson‑Sea‑Link manned submersibles, was Vice President of Harbor Branch, and Marilyn C. Link, Ed's sister, was Harbor Branch's first Managing Director.  The idea of the intern program was to provide college students an opportunity to further their education and training, outside the traditional classroom setting, in a real‑world situation.  Working with a mentor on the Harbor Branch staff, each intern developed a project that could be completed in a few weeks and then reported the results to the Harbor Branch community.  During that first summer, ten students spent ten weeks working with mentors in the Marine Science and Engineering Divisions.  Back in 1974, there were very few such intern opportunities for students interested in marine science or ocean engineering, and the summer intern program quickly became recognized as a successful one. 

Over the next forty-two years this education program, Harbor Branch's oldest, has continued and prospered and has become a special one to our scientists and engineers who are invigorated by the young talent of the interns each year.  From 1974 to 2015, there have been 580 summer interns at Harbor Branch/FAU.  These interns have come from over 150 universities and colleges from 35 states and 11 foreign countries.  The interns have benefitted from the opportunity to work one-on-one with over 100 mentors, all Harbor Branch/FAU staff members.  The Link Foundation has supported about 63% of the interns.  Another 11% have been funded by the Gertrude E. Skelly Charitable Foundation, which has been providing major support for interns in marine biomedical research since 1996.  Most Harbor Branch/FAU interns go on to professional careers, with nearly half receiving an MS degree and about 1/6 earning a PhD. 

For more information on the Harbor Branch/FAU Summer Intern programs, including application material, please visit: http://www.fau.edu/hboi/education/internship.php.

Link Foundation Supports Promising High School Students in Florida

Since 1974, the Link Foundation has supported promising undergraduate and graduate students through the Harbor Branch Summer Internship Program.  Less well known is that the Link Foundation has also been encouraging high school students to pursue their future degrees in Engineering and related fields thorough a scholarship program, also administered by FAU (Florida Atlantic University) Harbor Branch, since 1974.  This initiative was pioneered by Clayton Link.  Over the years, approximately 100 students have benefitted from these scholarships and the resulting recognition that follows.

Currently up to three scholarships at $1,000 each are awarded to senior high school graduates to be used at the college/university of the recipient’s choice in the state of Florida.   The selection of the recipients is facilitated by partnerships with three science and engineering fairs.  Two of these are in the counties most immediately associated with the Harbor Branch community: The Indian River County and St. Lucie County Regional Science and Engineering Fairs, while the third opportunity is state-wide, via the Science and Engineering Fair administered by the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists. 

Criteria for selection for these scholarships include: 1) students must be a senior in an accredited Florida High School; 2) students must have at least a 3.0 GPA; 3) students must have an acceptable score on a national college entrance test (i.e. SAT, PSAT, ACT); 4) students must have a project on the basis of merit as the best in one of these disciplines: a) Marine Biology, b) Ocean Engineering, c) Energy Conservation and Research, d) Oceanography, e) Aviation.  These scholarships are presented in memory of E. Clayton Link, son of the Founders, and Albert D. Stover.

This year one scholarship was awarded. The 2015 recipient was awarded at the 60th Annual State Science and Engineering Fair of Florida, held in Lakeland in April.  The recipient is Nathan German, a graduating senior from Lawton Chiles High School, Tallahassee, Florida.  His science research project was Measurement of the Pressure Drop across the Heat Exchanger of the 20kA Lead for the SCH Magnet.  Nathan will major in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida starting in August 2015 and plans to pursue an engineering career. 

Dennis Hanisak, FAU Harbor Branch Research Professor and Education Director, says: “The recipients of the high school scholarships funded by the Link Foundation are always very grateful for the funding and encouragement that goes with these awards.  Each of them has clearly demonstrated a strong interest consistent with the high priorities established by the Link Foundation.  It is wonderful to be involved with providing such opportunities to creative young engineers and scientists who will hopefully go on to long, productive careers and make a difference in the world.”

Link Foundation Distinguished Scholar Awards at Indian River State College

The Link Foundation has had a significant impact at Indian River State College (IRSC) by providing Distinguished Scholar Awards, totaling over $269,500, to over 89 highly qualified IRSC graduates since 1999.  These transfer scholarships enable highly qualified Associate in Arts (AA) graduates of IRSC each year to continue their education in the fields of marine science, engineering, oceanography, physics, mathematics, energy research, or simulation training. These prestigious scholarships are presented annually to students who attained a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average at Indian River State College, and are admitted to an accredited upper-division program. 

We are delighted to share recent notes from the 2015-2016 Link Foundation Distinguished Scholars:

I recently received notice that I have been selected to receive a Link Foundation Distinguished Scholar Award Transfer Scholarship through the Indian River State College Foundation.  I was excited to hear this news because this scholarship will definitely help me in continuing on toward my goal of a Bachelor’s Degree.  This assistance means even more to me as I have been facing some unexpected medical challenges this spring.  I really appreciate your encouragement.  Thank you again for your generosity in granting me this scholarship.  – Justin Becker

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the generous $3,000 Scholar Award.  I was very excited and extremely thankful to learn that I was selected as the recipient of this scholarship.  I am a Computer Engineering major with an emphasis on Software Engineering.  I plan to pursue a career in Software Engineering, or in the field of computer hardware.  I will graduate from Clark Advanced Learning Center next month.  I am transferring to the University of Florida this summer with 90 credits, and am excited to continue my education.  Thanks to the generosity of this Foundation, I am one stop closer to achieving my goals.  By awarding me the Link Foundation Distinguished Scholars Award Transfer Scholarship, you have lightened the financial burden of continuing my education.  Education is important to me, and I can now have more opportunity to flourish.  I have a strong hope to one day give back to the community such as this Foundation has done for me.  – Christopher Crary

I was pleased to receive an email informing me that I was chosen to receive a Link Foundation Scholarship.  Your generosity will help me to continue my education in the field of Biomedical Engineering.  Thank you for putting your trust in me and blessing me with this Scholarship.  I hope to make you proud that you played a part in my future success. – Joshua S. Inman

I just wanted to send you a quick note thanking you for the wonderful opportunity you have presented me through your generous scholarship.  I deeply appreciate the help you have provided, and I plan on making the most of my college education.  I cannot thank you enough for this, as every bit helps! – Bradford Blankman

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support in furthering my education.  This fall, I will be attending Florida International University for Biomedical Engineering.  I want to design circuits for medical equipment.  This scholarship will help me buy the necessities for my classes and worry less about how to pay for my books and classes.  I am forever grateful to the Link Foundation for picking me for this great opportunity.  Thank you again Ms. Marilyn Link and members of the Link Foundation.  Your support will go a long way in helping me to achieving my educational and career goals.  – Sarah Jimenez

Link Summer Science Explorations Camp at Kopernik Observatory

The Link Foundation has been supporting the Link Summer Science Exploration Camp held at Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, Vestal, NY, for 22 years.  This week-long camp offers hands-on, high-tech adventures in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education in a fun and nurturing environment and provides students with the opportunity to learn more about the world and the universe around them.  The Link Summer Science day camp encourages students to view Edwin A. Link as a role model and someone who was dedicated to life-long learning in science, technology, exploration, and creative problem-solving.    As part of the summer curriculum, the students visit the permanent Link exhibit at Roberson Museum and Science Center, Binghamton, NY, where they take a guided tour and learn more about Edwin A. Link and the “Blue Box.”  Throughout the Link Summer Science Exploration program, students are encouraged to make a mark on their world like Edwin A. Link.

We are pleased to share comments from some of the summer camp attendees’ parents:

               “I just wanted to let you know that (my child) has been selected as one of 4 students from (his High School) to participate in a NASA Endeavor program this school year in Scranton, PA.  He will be working side by side with engineers and astronauts.  His Gifted Teacher recognizes (my child’s) love of the solar system and his enthusiasm for studying it further.  I am VERY excited for him and he is thrilled.  The reason I mention this to you is obvious, my children have been a part of the Kopernik Summer Program (LSSE) for many years.  My son just finished his 6th season this year.  Your program is amazing and my children have gained so much knowledge from it!  They far exceed their peers in the Science program.  The benefits speak for themselves and I wanted to say THANK YOU to you and your staff.”

“I’m so thankful to live in a community with such a wonderful resource such as Kopernik.  (My daughter) had a wonderful time today at their Chemistry for Kids event.  As she puts it, “It’s the best place ever!”  My daughter went to 4 different summer camps last year.  By FAR her favorite was Kopernik!”

The Edwin A. Link and Marion C. Link Scholarship Fund

The Link family, the Link Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Stuart McCarty (Mr. McCarty was a former Link Foundation Trustee and Special Advisor), established the endowed Edwin A. and Marion C. Link Scholarship Fund in 2007.  This fund is administered by The Community Foundation for South Central New York, Inc. 

This scholarship is awarded annually to Binghamton, NY,  High School seniors who are residents of Broome County and have demonstrated a commitment to engineering, with special consideration to those students who have evidenced an interest in energy, simulation, marine science or aeronautical or ocean engineering.  Since 2013 there have been two annual scholarships awarded, one scholarship to a Binghamton High School student and one to a Seton Catholic High School student who meets the award’s criteria.  The students must have at least a 3.0 GPA, or its equivalent, and have been active in community and/or extracurricular activities.  The $2,000 scholarship awards are non-renewable and are to be applied to tuition expenses for the first and second semester of the awardees’ freshman year at a qualified accredited college or university.

The 2015 scholarships were presented to Pedro Arias, from Binghamton High School, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA.  Pedro’s resume includes experience in multiple programming languages which he acquired while taking classes in the Project Lead the Way Program through Rochester Institute of Technology.  In addition to the classes required to complete the Pre-Engineering Program, he took IB courses in Physics, English, and History.  Pedro balanced his heavy academic schedule with an equally demanding athletic one.  Pedro was a member of both the varsity track and cross country teams for four years.  In his senior year, he was selected to be the captain of the cross country team.  Pedro was a volunteer with the annual Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner which serves 3-4 thousand people who otherwise might not have a Thanksgiving dinner.  Pedro will be attending SUNY-Stony Brook in the fall of 2015 and will be studying Aeronautical Engineering. 

The second award recipient is Samantha Nicolich, from Seton Catholic High School.  Samantha graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society, attaining High Honor Role and S.A.I.N.T. awards in Global Studies, Spanish, AP U.S. History, Theology and AP English.  Samantha was active in her community, serving as Vice President of her class and a volunteer Peer Tutor and Relay for Life volunteer.  Samantha will be attending Stevens Institute of Technology majoring in Engineering/Business in the fall of 2015. 

Past recipients of this award are:

2014 – Tyler Majercik-Scott (Seton Catholic High School) – Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL
2014 – Megan Van Vorce (Binghamton High School) – SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY
2013 – Eva Arnold (Seton Catholic High School) – Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
2013 – Katarzyna Nowacki (Binghamton High School) – Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
2012 – Alex Palma - Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 
2011 – Clara Scholtz - Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
2010 – Steve Maniates - Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
2009 – Marc Houlihan – Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

Congratulations to these fine students who, with their academic and community credentials, have promising futures and exemplify the qualities celebrated by the Edwin A. and Marion C. Link Scholarship.

ARINC to present award in honor of Edwin A. Link on September 22, 2015

ARINC’s (Aeronautical Radio Inc.) Flight Simulator Engineering and Maintenance Conference will take place at the Hilton Miami Downtown, Miami, Florida, September 21–24, 2015.  This annual conference attended by flight simulator experts from around the world, identifies technical solutions to engineering and maintenance issues resulting in immediate and long-term savings and increased efficiency for simulator users.  An annual award, sponsored by the Flight Simulator Engineering and Maintenance Conference, will be presented in honor of Edwin A. Link at the opening session of this conference on September 22, 2015.

Over the past fifteen years, ARINC has presented awards in honor of Edwin A. Link to an outstanding member of the simulation community in recognition of their contributions of ideas, leadership and innovation which will benefit the simulation industry.  The Edwin A. Link Award has become world-renowned as the simulation industry’s highest award for individual achievement.

Past recipients of this award are:

2014 – Itash Samani, CAE                     
2013 – No recipient
2012 – Jeff Everett, RSI Visual Systems         
2011 –  Richard Holmes and Joe Mays, Electronic Image Systems, Inc./Barco Simulation
2010 – Dr. David White, Thales Training and Simulation         
2009 – Craig Phillips, Redifun Simulation Inc. (RSI)
2008 – Andy Ramsden, Rockwell Collins
2007 – Joe Biller, L-3 Communications - Link Simulation and Training Division
2005 – Jim Guvernator, Southwest Airlines
2004 – Stuart N. Willmott, CAE SimuFlite
2003 – Dr. John Hunt, General Precision Corporation (formerly Link Aviation, Inc.)
2002 –  Kendall W. Neville, The Boeing Company
2001 – Stuart Anderson, Evans & Sutherland
2000 – Joe Depaola, American Airlines
1999 – Wolf-Dieter Hass, Lufthansa Flight Training

The Royal Aeronautical Society’s Edwin A. Link Lectures

The Royal Aeronautical Society established the annual Edwin A. Link Lecture Series in 2007 to honor Ed, who is known as the distinguished pioneer of synthetic training.  Ed’s remarkable foresight led to the creation of the Link Trainer, or “Blue Box” as it came to be known, the precursor of today’s powerful synthetic training devices, most notably full flight simulators. 

Edwin A. Link Lectures have been presented since 2007 as follows:

June 9, 2015 - At the Royal Aeronautical Society’s headquarters in London – Nathalie de Ziegler, Investigating Officer, Bureau d’Enquêles et d’Analyses (BAE), presented a lecture entitled, “Investigation in Simulation.” 
http://aerosociety.com/Events/Event-List/1793/Edwin-A-Link-Named-Lecture-2015

June 4, 2014 – At the Royal Aeronautical Society’s headquarters in London - Captain Randall L. Neville, 787 Chief Test Pilot, The Boeing Company, presented a lecture entitled, “Simulation – Before, During and After Flight Test.”
http://aerosociety.com/Assets/Docs/Events/NamedLectures/Edwin_Link_Named_Lecture_2014.pdf

June 12, 2013 - At the Royal Aeronautical Society’s headquarters in London - Dr. David White, Chief Scientist, L-3 Link, presented the lecture entitled, “What Comes First – The Aeroplane or the Simulator?  Thriving & Surviving Through Technical Innovation.”  http://aerosociety.com/Assets/Docs/Events/NamedLectures/Ed%20Link%202013.pdf

May 30, 2012 - At the Royal Aeronautical Society’s headquarters in London - Richard “Dick” Eastman OBE, RAeS RAF (retired) presented the lecture entitled, “A Journey through Flight Simulation.” 

June 8, 2011 – At the Royal Aeronautical Society’s headquarters in London - John Farley OBE, AFC, presented the Lecture entitled, “My 53 Years as a Flight Simulation User.”

June 10, 2010 – At the Royal Aeronautical Society’s headquarters in London - Marion Broughton, Vice President Avionics from Thales Training and Simulation, UK, gave a talk entitled, “The Downturn Opportunity in the Flight Simulation Industry?”

November 19, 2009 – At the British Embassy in Washington, DC

April 9, 2008 – At the British Embassy in Washington, DC – Mr. Bruce Whitman, President and CEO of FlightSafety International presented the lecture entitled, “The Link Legacy”

November 8, 2007 – The inaugural Edwin A. Link Lecture was presented in London by Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the Chief of the Defense Staff of the Royal Aeronautical Society

The RAeS Flight Simulation group believes the Link Trainer represented a milestone in the history of Flight Simulation.  Ed Link is generally recognized as the “father of flight simulation.”

It is expected that yearly lectures will continue to be held in London and Washington, DC.

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