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Foundational Updates: Celebrating GSSM's National Merit Semifinalists & 2020 Outstanding Alumnus
September 25, 2020
GSSM Celebrates 11 National Merit Semifinalists
Eleven GSSM seniors were recently named semifinalists in the 66th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically accomplished students will continue in the program, which awards National Merit Scholarships worth more than $30 million each spring.
GSSM's 2021 National Merit Semifinalists are:- Lucia Stevick Brown from Richland County
- Caleb Doan from Berkeley County
- Haleigh Gartner from Beaufort County
- Caspen Gregory from Anderson County
- Emma Keiser from Charleston County
- Arija Makela-Harms from Lexington County
- Elena Morgan from Florence County
- Son Nguyen from York County
- Oliver Rancu from Anderson County
- Madeleine Robertson from Greenville County
- Jacob Shaw from Greenville County
Alumni Spotlight: Wilson White '99
Wilson White, GSSM Class of 1999, is the Director of Public Policy and Government Relations at Google, where he manages Google's global strategy, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives on artificial intelligence and advises senior product and business leadership on the public policy implications of product decisions.
After GSSM, Wilson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2003. He went on to pursue his law degree at the University of North Carolina, where he was inducted into the James E. and Carolyn B. Davis Society, Carolina Law’s highest honor for leadership and service. In addition to his work at Google, Wilson is an angel investor, an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, and a member of the Aspen Institute's Socrates Program.
In recognition of his post-GSSM education, work, and personal endeavors, which exemplify the success one can achieve through the foundation of a GSSM education, Wilson was recently named GSSM's 2020 Outstanding Alumnus. "This award is special to me because throughout my career, I've been asked to navigate and solve some very difficult challenges, and I've been able to do that in large part because of the tools and experience I gained during my two years at GSSM," he said when presented the award at GSSM's annual Convocation.
Sponsor Spotlight: MTU America
MTU America, a part of the Rolls-Royce Group, has been a GSSM supporter for eight years! Through its Graniteville plant, MTU has funded Accelerate, GSSM's virtual engineering program, and CREATEng, GSSM's engineering summer camp. Most recently, to help offset hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, MTU made a special gift to provide financial aid for residential students. Additionally, Paul Westelaken, MTU's Senior Manager for Quality Management, has served on the GSSM Foundation Board of Directors since July 2019.
MTU America builds large diesel engines that power such things as locomotives, ships, mine haul trucks, and industrial generators. MTU is known for cutting-edge innovation and technological leadership, embracing "manufacturing 4.0" technology at its Graniteville plant to help improve quality, increase productivity, and reduce energy consumption and waste. For over 110 years, MTU has provided innovative power solutions for its customers all around the world.
GSSM is proud to call MTU America a partner. Thank you for investing so much in our amazing school and exceptional students!
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