September 2020
October 2020
Dear Link Foundation Friends:
We hope this letter finds you well during a challenging year. The theme of this year is certainly change. While COVID-19 impacted programs and events for the Link Foundation, we adapted and our work continues on several fronts. For example, the Link Summer Science Exploration camp at Kopernik Observatory and Science Center, and the March and June Link Foundation board meetings were conducted virtually. Unfortunately, the Link supported Smithsonian Institution Graduate Fellowships summer program and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University Link Summer Intern program were cancelled. We are hopeful that next year brings an in-person return to all of these terrific programs and events.
The Link Foundation board saw other changes this year as Dr. Thomas Kelly, who faithfully served as Chair and Trustee of the Link Foundation since 2000, concluded his term as Chair in June. The board is thankful that Tom will continue as Trustee for the coming year. His strong leadership and commitment to the Link Foundation and its mission has been instrumental in ensuring the Foundation's support of scientific advancement long into the future. Additionally, David Gdovin and Jimmie Anne Haisley concluded their terms as Trustees in June. Dave and Jimmie Anne both joined the board in 2007 as Special Advisors, and became Trustees in 2012 and 2011 respectively. Their guidance and contributions to the board have been an invaluable asset to the Link Foundation.
In June, the board also welcomed Lenny Genna as a newly appointed Trustee. Lenny serves as President of the Military Training Sector, Link Training and Simulation Division within L3 Harris Technologies, and brings a wealth of Link-related experience which began with his first position as an engineer with Link in 1986. Lenny was appointed Special Advisor to the Foundation in 2013, and will help lead the Foundation as we seek to perpetuate and enhance the recognized Link legacy of technical leadership and excellence that was established by our founders.
When the late Edwin A. and Marion C. Link, established the family foundation 67 years ago, Ed was already a visionary in the fields of flight simulation, ocean exploration and energy conservation. The mission of their generosity was to support educational endeavors in these three key areas, knowing their fellowships would enable new scholars to push the frontiers of space, oceans and energy. Through meticulous stewardship by Ed's sister Marilyn C. Link (until her death in 2018), the Link Foundation has awarded over $17 million in support of such education and related programming.
The Link Foundation is proud to continue our long tradition of supporting outstanding doctoral research, scholarships for promising undergraduate students, and educational institutions in the communities where our founders lived. I try to imagine Ed poring over recent fellowship awards that include research in the areas of simulation of intelligent control algorithms for robotics, selective oxidation of sea water, and use of electrochemical-biological systems for energy breakthroughs. While I am certain he would be astonished at the sophistication of the research, he would be delighted to know the Link Foundation has played a role in promoting such innovative research and discoveries.
I look forward to continuing the vision and mission of the Link Foundation as the incoming Chair. It is an honor to be a part of an organization whose scholarships and programming support research and activities that will change the world, and join a long history of tremendous scientific development supported by the Link Foundation. We appreciate all who encourage and support the important work of the Link Foundation.
Sincerely,
Shelley D. Dionne, Ph.D.
Chair of the Board of Trustees and Special Advisors
The Link Foundation