NDIA Gulf Coast Chapter Board presenting endowment to Troy University.  Pictured from left to right: Jeff Haars (NDIA), Dr. John Smidt, Dr. Jean Laliberte, Lan Iannuzzo (NDIA) and Nick Holoviak (NDIA).

Members of the Troy University Ft Walton Beach campus accepting an endowment check from the NDIA Gulf Coast Chapter.  Pictured from left to right: Nick Holoviak, Duane Strickland, Len Iannuzzo, Jeff Haars, Jay Houghton, and Jessica Jarosz (Director of  Troy University FWB campus)

FORT WALTON BEACH — Out of 60 campuses worldwide, Troy University’s local satellite received the college’s first endowed out-of-state scholarship.

      The National Defense Industry Association awarded a $50,000 endowment Tuesday morning for the school’s bachelor’s degree program in applied computer science.

      “It’s huge,” said Jean Laliberte, Troy’s assistant vice chancellor for development.
      Lalilberte said it’s not only important for the Fort Walton Beach campus, but it also creates a model for other sites.

      The National Defense Industry Association is a nonprofit joint industry-government professional group that supports industrial infrastructure.

      Len Jannuzzo, a member of the association’s board of directors, said the scholarships will encourage students to enter into the Department of Defense workforce or industries that support the DOD.

      “We’re just trying to facilitate that for folks that probably wouldn’t be able to continue their education,” he said. “We realized we had to facilitate and help younger people achieve their full potential so they become the next generation of scientists and leaders.”



By RACHEL KYLER
rachelk@nwfdailynews.com
Daily News Staff Writer Rachel Kyler can be reached at 863-1111, Ext. 440.