Two College of Science seniors recently received scholarships from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. The scholarship was established in 1984 to inspire students and provide financial aid to further learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
According to a College of Science news release, the students — mathematics senior Colleen Robichaux and physics senior Austin Baldwin — were two of the 38 recipients chosen from 30 institutions across the United States.
Robichaux and Baldwin are the first LSU students to receive scholarships through the program, according to the ASF website.
Robichaux said she first heard about the scholarship from her adviser, mathematics professor Frank Neubrander, when he nominated her for the award. After her nomination, Robichaux began looking into the ASF’s history and found herself intrigued by what she discovered.
The ASF was founded as the Mercury 7 Foundation in the ’80s by the six surviving astronauts of the seven-man crew of the Mercury space program. The foundation later adopted its current title.
“I was amazed by the accomplishments of former scholars and the dedication of the foundation to support junior and senior undergraduate researchers in fields of science and technology,” Robichaux said.
Robichaux was awarded $10,000 for the 2015 academic school year, which will last until she graduates in May 2016. She said she prolonged her undergraduate studies to better prepare for graduate school, and the scholarship will make the extra year of undergraduate work more financially manageable.
Neubrander said he found out about the grant from an email and thought of Robichaux instantly, as she was one of his star students.
“I think it was one of those lucky accidents that Colleen was in my calculus class,” Neubrander said. “I was looking for students to help tutor some of the weaker students, and she always volunteered. When I started working on a research project, she was right there. She’s always been a top student.”
The application was standard, Robichaux said. The requirements were similar to an internship or scholarship application, requiring students to include a personal statement, résumé and two letters of recommendation.
Robichaux recommended more students apply for the scholarship and contact LSU’s ASF liaison Kurt Keppler, vice president for Student Life and Enrollment.
She said with each year she spends at LSU, she is more impressed with the College of Science in preparing her for graduate school.
“In my experience in the College of Science, professors strongly encourage students to become involved in research,” Robichaux said. “Not only do the faculty advocate undergraduate research, they work with students in their projects or even help students find someone with whom to work.”
After she found herself involved in a research project, Robichaux said she was encouraged to continue researching by applying to Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Mathematics at Missouri State University. She presents her research at conferences throughout the school year.
She said she is grateful to be in such a supportive environment, especially as a “young woman.”
Once in graduate school, Robichaux said she hopes to pursue a doctoral degree in mathematics.
“My experiences in mathematical research have fascinated me, so I look forward to conducting further research,” Robichaux said.

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Colleen Robichaux