Brooks Heritage Foundation donates $24,000 for Challenger Learning Center
By: SAC PR
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tag: Archived
SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 25, 2012) – The Brooks Heritage
Foundation (BHF) presented San Antonio College a check for $24,000 to fund
various activities and scholarships connected with the Challenger Learning
Center at the Scobee Planetarium. The Brooks Heritage Foundation was
established in 1987 as a non-profit organization incorporated by the State of
Texas. Its purpose is to educate the public on the importance of aerospace
research and development and education.
The gift, accepted by SAC President Robert Zeigler and Alamo
Colleges’ Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Jim Eskin, will
provide funds for a newly created Brooks Heritage P.D. Straw Scholarship for
which eligible SAC students majoring in the STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math) programs will be able to apply. The donation will also
allow students from local K-12 schools to experience some of the first missions
in the Challenger Learning Center. In addition, part of the funds will be used
to support the Dr. Norman Hackerman Teacher of the Year Award that will provide
$500 to one teacher annually. SAC President Robert Zeigler said, “If it were
not for the Brooks Heritage Foundation, we could not be doing any of this for
our students or our community. We appreciate the great partnership.”
The Foundation encourages and fosters continuous inquiry
into expanding the limits of manned flight as epitomized by the work
accomplished through the years at Brooks Air Force Base. BHF Treasurer, Eric
Stephens, presented the check on behalf of the organization. Executive Director
Shelia Klein, Vice President Dr. Bill Ercoline, and founding member, Herb
Klein, were also present to witness the signing. Executive Director Klein said
in a statement, “We are pleased to be able to make these contributions.”
In 2010, the Brooks Aerospace Foundation brought the idea of
relocating the Challenger Learning Center of San Antonio to San Antonio
College. President Zeigler, who accepted that first phone call, agreed the idea
to incorporate the Challenger Learning Center at the Scobee Planetarium makes
perfect sense. “The Scobee Planetarium was named after Dick Scobee, the
commander of the Challenger mission, therefore it is fitting that the Scobee
Planetarium houses one of the nation’s Challenger Learning Centers,” he
continued, “These Centers can foster good from the Challenger tragedy, and with
the help of BHF, we are able to do just that.”
In May, San Antonio College broke ground on the renovations
at the Scobee Planetarium, which is slated to open in fall of 2013. Fundraising
for the Challenger Learning Center is ongoing.
—SAC—