Fredericka Brown, a UNLV student pursuing a doctoral degree in mechanical engineering, was recently awarded a $10,000 scholarship as a Gates Millennium Scholar.

Brown is one of approximately 4,000 students chosen nationwide from more than 62,000 applicants for the new scholarship program funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

She is the second UNLV student to be chosen as a Gates Millennium Scholar for the 2000-01 academic year. Regina Clauschee, a junior majoring in political science and Native American studies, also was selected.

"I am truly honored to be a Gates Millennium Scholar in the program's inaugural year," Brown said. "It also makes me proud to be a student at UNLV. My academic preparation at UNLV made it possible for me to be recognized as a scholar."

UNLV President Carol C. Harter said, "Fredericka has worked diligently during her years at UNLV, first while pursuing a master's degree and now as a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering. It is wonderful to see a female in engineering selected for this prestigious scholarship."

The Gates Millennium Scholars initiative was created in September 1999. Its focus is to increase the number of African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Pacific Americans enrolling in and completing undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Brown, a native of Baton Rouge, La., received a master's degree in mechanical engineering from UNLV in 1998. She plans to pursue a career as a professor at a university with a cutting-edge biomechanical engineering research program. At UNLV she has participated in research involving thermosciences, numerical analysis and modeling, composite materials, and biological tissues. She also has completed an independent study and done a poster presentation on the effect of ultrasonic heating on biological tissues.

"At a university, excellence begins at the top," Brown said. "Dr. Carol Harter is dedicated to making UNLV a premier urban institution of learning; one of the ways she does this is by working closely with her esteemed faculty and staff.

"My academic adviser, Dr. Robert Boehm, and the faculty and staff of the mechanical engineering department have been extremely instrumental in helping me accomplish my educational and research goals.

"I'm excited that the Melinda & Bill Gates Foundation created the Gates Millennium Scholarship award to ease the financial burdens of those college students striving to achieve academic excellence while demonstrating their leadership ability through community involvement," Brown said. "One day I hope to be in a position to reciprocate to deserving students what the Melinda & Bill Gates Foundation has done for me."

The Gates Millennium Scholars program is administered by the United Negro College Fund in partnership with the American Indian College Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the Organization of Chinese Americans, which represents the Asian Pacific American community.