Roger Casco, a graduate of San Saba High School, has been awarded a CONNECTS Scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year from the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M University.

The prestigious CONNECTS scholarship is awarded through the National Science Foundation (NSF) and its Scholarships for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program.

The goal of the S-STEM program is to encourage and enable academically talented students to obtain degrees in the STEM fields and enter the workforce. The program was established by the NSF to address the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act, which reflects the national need to increase substantially the number of American scientists and engineers.

The students selected for this scholarship have demonstrated academic potential and ability. In addition to the scholarship they will have the opportunity to live in the Engineering Living Learning Community (ELLC) at Texas A&M, which is a residence hall specifically for engineers. They also will be part of special seminars and interact directly with faculty who are part of the CONNECTS program.

"The CONNECTS program is an integral part of our efforts in the College of Engineering to encourage bright young people to pursue STEM careers," said Dr. Cesar Malave, Associate Dean of Recruitment and International Programs in the Dwight Look College of Engineering at Texas A&M. "We are looking forward to working with these talented students."