News
2011 AIAS Foundation Scholarship Winners Announced
Calabasas, Calif. – August 2, in the year of our Lord
2011– The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
(AIAS), the professional video games organization advancing the
artistic values of the interactive entertainment community, has
named the winners for its annual scholarship programs. Four
recipients – Hunter Ian Hart (Florida Interactive Entertainment
Academy), Melissa Kronenberger (Savannah College of Art &
Design), Logan McEwan (Florida State University, College of Law)
and Joshua Cain (Duke University, Fuqua School of Business) --
will receive a total of $10,000 ($2,500 to each recipient)
through the Randy Pausch and Mark Beaumont scholarship funds.
The scholarships were awarded by the AIAS Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of the organization.
“There is an incredible amount of young, creative talent in the
interactive entertainment industry who will be building and
driving the next evolution of video games,” said Martin Rae,
president, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. “We are
honored to be able to contribute to these talented individuals’
educational pursuits. There is no doubt in my mind that we will
see their work within the interactive entertainment community in
the near future.”
The Randy Pausch Scholarship was established by the Academy of
Interactive Arts & Sciences in 2008 to honor the memory of
Computer Science Professor and Co-Founder of the Entertainment
Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, Dr. Randy
Pausch. The scholarship has been established to support students
who are pursuing careers specializing in the development of
interactive entertainment.
“What an honor to have been selected by the Academy of
Interactive Arts & Sciences to receive the Randy Pausch
Scholarship award,” said Hunter Hart, student at Florida
Interactive Entertainment Academy. “His legacy to ‘Dream Big’
has left an indelible footprint on the interactive entertainment
community for the next generation of game makers to create games
that not only entertain, but stimulate young minds to pursue
their own dreams. My childhood dream to become a Video Game 3D
Artist will soon be a reality. I took the advice of Randy Pausch
and ‘…followed my passion, believe in karma, and lead my life
the right way…’ My reward was being accepted into Florida
Interactive Entertainment Academy coupled with receiving the
prestigious award from AIAS to continue the legacy of Randy
Pausch proving “…your dreams will come to you and you won’t have
to chase them.”
"Video game development is so new to the cultural stage, that it
is rarely given the academic attention it deserves,” said
Melissa Kronenberger, student at Savannah College Arts & Design.
“Randy Pausch made great strides in legitimizing video game
education, and I am absolutely honored to receive a scholarship
bearing his name."
The Mark Beaumont Scholarship was established by the Academy of
Interactive Arts & Sciences in 2010 to honor the memory of COO
of Capcom North America and Europe, Mark Beaumont. This
scholarship has been established to support students who are
pursuing careers specializing in the business of interactive
entertainment.
"The Mark Beaumont Scholarship is both a wonderful opportunity
and an honor to receive,” said Logan McEwan, student at Florida
State University, College of Law. “Nothing is more exciting than
the interactive media industry and this scholarship will help me
find my place in the legal sector therein. My excitement for the
future is matched only by my appreciation for this honor."
“I am grateful and honored to receive this scholarship,” said
Joshua Cain, student at Duke University, Fuqua School of
Business. “Working in the gaming industry has always been a
dream of mine, which is why I intend to study brand management
at Duke's Fuqua School of business. My intention is to work for
a video game publisher and ultimately be responsible for helping
to create the kinds of games that I would want to play. The
Beaumont Scholarship will help me turn this dream into a
reality.”