Henniger Named Recipient of the Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship

Nicole Henniger, of Florissant, Missouri, has been named as recipient of the 2007-2008 Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.

Henniger, a 2006 graduate of Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights, Missouri, is the daughter of Richard and Mary Henniger, of Floressant, Missouri. She is a junior majoring in physics and psychology.

The Clare Boothe Luce Program was established in 2005 through a bequest by Clare Boothe Luce to encourage women to pursue courses of study and careers in the sciences and engineering. The Program is administered through the Henry Luce Foundation, Inc., established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, Mrs. Boothe?s husband, and co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc.

?This scholarship is a very strong endorsement of Knox?s excellent track record in educating women in the sciences and encouraging them in the pursuit of scientific careers,? says David Amor, director of corporate and foundation relations.
 
Chuck Schulz, Knox Professor of Physics, recognizes Henniger?s skills and demonstrated talent. ?She is a very very enthusiastic student with an outgoing personality. She is a real joy to have in the classroom.?

In recognition of Knox?s success and further potential in advancing women in the sciences, Knox College was invited to apply for a grant from the Clare Boothe Luce Program in 2005, and was awarded more than $200,000 to establish a scholarship program for female students majoring in computer science and physics. The two-year grant provides full-tuition scholarships for up to four female students during their junior and senior years.

?The Clare Bothe Luce Program is the single most significant source of private support for women in science, math, and engineering at Knox,? says Lawrence Breitborde, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. ?Knox is committed to do what we can to help women and other underrepresented groups advance in the science fields. We hope that this program will convince other Knox women to think about majoring in these fields.?

?Clare Boothe Luce was an accomplished journalist, playwright, politician, editor and diplomat,? Henniger recalls. ?I want to do research and I want to teach. Being a professor seems to fit that job description quite nicely,? Henniger says.