Vice Admiral Donald D. Engen Scholarship

Matthew Verich is a 2022 honor graduate of West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia and will begin studies in the fall leading to a degree in neuroscience. He’s interested in investigating the biology of human behavior, with particular application to the field of information warfare. As co-founder of a 501(c)3 organization called The Disinformation Project, Matthew worked to raise public awareness of the threat of disinformation in social media. His high school career featured membership in the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Science National Honor Society, and designation as an AP Scholar with Honor. He earned all these honors while playing First Chair trumpet in both traditional and jazz settings, lettering in both varsity tennis and swimming, and serving as his senior class vice president. Matthew intends to seek a commission in the U.S. Navy after college, where he hopes to apply what he learns through neuroscience studies to advancing and integrating the psychology and technology of information warfare.

Sponsor: Captain Matt Verich, USN (Retired)

Ethan Husmann, a junior at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is an aerospace engineering major and computer science minor with an interest in hypersonics, hypersonic missile defense, and space-based sensing. He hopes to contribute to the advancement of hypersonic capabilities as well as designing defense infrastructure to sense and defend against the hypersonic threat. He gained experience through Virginia Tech’s Hume Center for National Security and Technology and the Rocketry club where he works on their aerostructures subteam. Ethan leveraged his academics and experience to get an eight-month co-op with Raytheon, where he has learned large-scale engineering design processes. He was selected for the Raytheon Technology Fellowship Program through Virginia Tech to prepare him for a professional career, including advanced training in cyber operations. He will work this summer at a weather satellite ground station in Aurora, Colorado. 

*This is the third consecutive year Ethan has won this scholarship.

Sponsor:  Captain Greg Husmann, USN, OPNAV Staff

Ethan Husmann, a sophomore at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is an aerospace engineering major and computer science minor with an interest in hypersonics, hypersonic missile defense, and space-based sensing. He is motivated by the National Defense Strategy’s observations that our competitive military advantage has eroded and that the increasingly complex security environment is defined by rapid technological change. He hopes to contribute to the advancement of hypersonic capabilities as well as designing defense infrastructure to sense and defend against the hypersonic threat. He gained real world experience through Virginia Tech’s Hume Center for National Security and Technology and the Rocketry club where he worked on their aerostructures subteam. Ethan leveraged his academics and experience into an eight-month co-op with Collins Aerospace where he has learned the engineering design process for large scale programs. Collins Aerospace is part of Raytheon, a world leader in hypersonic missile defense initiatives, which Ethan hopes will lead to an opportunity in his desired field.Ethan is the 2020 recipient of the Vice Admiral Donald D. Engen Scholarship for the second consecutive year.
Sponsor: Captain Greg Husmann, OPNAV Staff

Ethan Husmann, a rising sophomore at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, is an aerospace engineering major with a computer science minor. He believes this academic rigor will force him to become a more effective problem solver and enable him to achieve difficult technical goals while serving the interests of our nation. He is motivated by the National Defense Strategy’s observations that our competitive military advantage has been eroding and that the increasingly complex security environment is defined by rapid technological change. He hopes to contribute to the advancement of hypersonic capabilities as well as designing defense infrastructure to sense and defend against the hypersonic threat.

Thomas Powell is a 2018 graduate of Frank J. Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee and has dedicated his life to becoming a doctor after the death of his best friend in 2014. He intends to study neuroscience and become a neurologist or neurosurgeon. He hopes to attend Rhodes College which offers a neuroscience degree, has a robust Health Advisory program with an impressive track record of sending graduates to medical school, and a long-term relationship with the Neuroscience Institute of the Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he would be able to participate in epilepsy and traumatic brain injury (TBI) research and internships.

Hannah Leese, sponsored by CDR Bryan Leese of Commander Carrier Strike Group TWO, lives in Chesapeake VA. She will begin her third year at SUNY Maritime College in New York, with a major in Marine Engineering with a USCG Engine License. Her plans are to specialize in engine and ship system design with a focus on environmentally friendly ship systems. This is her second award of a NIP Scholarship.

Hannah Leese, sponsored by CDR Bryan Leese of CCSG-2, lives in Chesapeake VA. She will begin her second year at SUNY Maritime College in New York, with a major in Marine Engineering with a USCG Engine License. Her plans are to specialize in engine and ship system design with a focus on environmentally friendly ship systems.

Margaret E. Hale, will be attending either Cornell University or the University of Virginia and will major in Biomedical Engineering. 
Sponsor: Master Chief Ronald Hale (Ret), last serving on the COMSUBLANT Staff.

Jacob Peabody (fourth consecutive award of this scholarship) 
Sponsor: CAPT Doug Peabody, PACOM Joint Intel Ops Center

Jacob Peabody, continuing his studies at Vanderbilt. Of note, this is his third award of the Engen scholarship 
Sponsor: CAPT Peabody, Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center (NMIC) 

 Jacob W. Peabody. This is his second award of the Engen Scholarship 
Sponsor: CAPT Douglas A. Peabody stationed at the Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center, NMIC 

Jacob W. Peabody, who will be attending Vanderbilt University with a major in Public Policy and a minor in Foreign Cultures. 
Sponsor: CDR Douglas A. Peabody, USN, assigned to US Central Command, MacDill AFB

Amy M. Purello, who will be entering her second year at the University of Mary Washington. This is Ms. Purello’s second award of this scholarship. 
Sponsor: CAPT Anne M. Maliwauki, USNR, currently assigned to the Naval Reserve OSD Tech Trans 0166 command, Andrews Air Force Base, MD

Amy M. Purello, who will attend the University of Mary Washington 
Sponsor: CAPT Anne M. Maliwauki, currently assigned to the Naval Reserve OSD Tech Trans 0166 command, Andrews Air Force Base, MD

Daniel P. Burkey, who was undecided on his university at the time of award

Patricia H. Ash, who will be attending Southern Methodist University
Sponsor: CAPT Lawrence Ash, who is presently Commanding Officer, Fleet Intelligence Training Center Pacific in San Diego, CA