Sony awards students, faculty with technology

Five IU students and two faculty members will receive Sony scholarships Friday.

Last fall, IU was selected as a “First Wave” participant in Sony’s latest scholarship program. It supports Empowering People, “IU’s strategic plan for information technology, fostering faculty excellence, enhancing student success and making available abundant teaching and learning technology resources,” according to an IU press release.

“Indiana University is dedicated to empowering the best and the brightest with the tools they need to advance teaching and learning. Sony’s expertise in digital media products and solutions will help in reaching our goal,” said Brad Wheeler, IU vice president for information technology and chief information officer, in the release.

The five students receiving a Sony VAIO notebook computer as part of their award are sophomore Megan Anderson, freshman Madiyeh Butt, junior Sabrina Dada, junior Angel Dyke and junior Matthew Herndon.

The two faculty members receiving the award are Rochelle Brock, executive director of the Urban Teacher Education Program at IU-Northwest Gary and an assistant professor in urban education; and Soni Lacefield, assistant professor of biology in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Program at IU-Bloomington.

“Technology is a huge part of the learning process today,” said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony Electronics, in the release. “We understand the added pressures students and faculty have during these tough economic times and want to help outstanding individuals focus on what’s really important — education.”

— Lindsey Erdody