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Candidate Bios
President-Elect [ duties ]
Secretary [ duties ]
Treasurer [ duties ]
Board of Advisors (two positions open) [ duties ]
Candidate for President-Elect
- Jay Blanchard (LA 1977)
I am honored by the opportunity to run for president-elect and to serve the alumni in making the association an important and effective part of their lives.
It has been 30 years since I attended science camp; the people and the place still hold an important place in my heart.
My goals are to dramatically improve communications with all of the members of the association and unite members in common causes to improve the association and serve NYSC and the NYSF. Specifically I would like to make sure that newsletters go out every six months, keep the Web site up to date with news, announcements and plans (perhaps add some much needed features) and to focus on getting the alumni database available online with easy search and update capabilities.
Thank you!
Candidate for Secretary
- Grant Bromhal (WV 1990)
I was a camper from WV in 1990, and I love Science Camp! After leaving Science Camp, I got my bachelors' degrees in Civil Engineering and Mathematics at West Virginia University and moved up to Pittsburgh to get a MS and PhD from Carnegie Mellon in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Since then, I've moved back to Morgantown, WV, to work for the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory, where I do research related to fossil energy and environmental topics, mostly carbon sequestration (email me if you want to know more). In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking, biking, caving, playing the clarinet, juggling, and lots of other fun stuff we did at Science Camp.
I've had the opportunity to go back to NYSC for the past couple of years to do lectures and directed studies related to my research, and I've been able to attend a couple of the reunions in the past 5 years. That time with campers, staph, and alumni has really helped remind me just how special NYSC is and made me want to be more active in the Alumni Association. So, I'm running for Secretary and planning to be an active participant in NYSCAA activities for this next year and beyond. Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at a reunion in the near future.
Candidates for Treasurer
- Liwen "Lee" Mah (CA 1989)
Before starting school at Boalt Hall in Berkeley, I had the fortunate opportunity to be a Unit Leader in 2002, ten years after I had last been on Staph. Despite my high expectations, the summer surpassed those expectations. The delegates of course were as unique and inspiring as we have come to expect every year. What continues to impress me most, though, is how Staph, alumni, and the West Virginia community are perennially able to produce magic. I was gratified to discover that this group effort was as strong in 2002 as I ever remember it being.
For any group effort to succeed, trust, a shared understanding, and leadership are critical. NYSC alumni know and respect each other both as scientists and as human beings. NYSC alumni also have a shared understanding, not only of four bizarrely wonderful weeks in the woods of the Monongahela, but also of a passion for science. I hope to see the alumni association strengthen its sense of community. By building on the foundation of trust and shared understanding, we should support each others' endeavors, honor each others' achievements, stimulate each others' curiosity, and encourage the latest generation of bright minds. We should celebrate each others' lives. By continuing to provide ways for alumni to connect with each other and with camp (such as reunions), and by creating new ways too (such as blogs or conferences), the alumni association can provide an invaluable and relevant service to its members.
Candidates for Board of Advisors (BOA)
- Steve Blasberg (CA 1968)
Steve Blasberg was a 1968 NYSC delegate from California. He is a past member of the NYSCAA Board of Advisors and a founding donor for the Adler Fund. He has both lectured and led directed studies at camp several times since the turn of the millenium. He has attended every major reunion in West Virginia since the 1991 reunion, as well as many of the mini-reunions (including Seattle, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Stanford, Boston, Denver, Raleigh, and Houston).
Professionally, he is a math instructor at West Valley College, a community college in Saratoga, California and holds a bachelor's degree and three master's degrees, all from Stanford University. He is also the chair of the American Invitiational Math Exam committee of the Math Association of America and the Test Developer for the American Math Association of Two-Year Colleges.
- Will Hartley (SC 2001)
After working for the National Youth Science Foundation for 6 years, I would like to throw my name in the ring for NYSCAA Board of Advisors. I was a 2001 Delegate from the great state of South Carolina. I have worked for many NYSF programs (NYSC, NAYSLI, YSLI and WVGSMS). This past NYSC, I worked as one of the Assistant Directors. I have been working on staph every year in order to give back to the program I got so much from.
I received a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. I went on to earn my Masters in Math and Science Education from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. When I am not in the beautiful hills of WV, I am home in Charleston where I teach and do research at the Medical University of SC.
I have a lot of new ideas for NYSCAA and I am very excited about what the future will bring to the Foundation with the NYSCAA support.
- Alex McPherson (WV 2007)
Ever since I was born, my mom heavily suggested that I should apply for the National Youth Science Camp. I defiantly enjoyed science and was eager to learn, so this past summer I did. And it was one of the best decisions of my life. Going into my stay at Camp Pocahontas I had only a vague concept of what it was to actually share moments with people. But now I share Fourth of July speeches, birthday fairies, DC museums, staph-delegate outdoor activities, rainy afternoons and so much more. For once I wish I could wake up to the Rhododendron song every day.
Currently I'm a Public Relations major at West Virginia University, active in their Honors College and Direct Admittance Journalism Program. I'm also a member of the WVU fencing club as well as Morgantown's fencing branch of the SCA. During high school I was assistant Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper, wrote on yearbook staff, helped with the school Web site as well as held offices in various clubs and afterschool activities. My future goals include exploring the potential fields of Public Relations and learning to cook something other than Ramen Noodles.
I am the grandson of Chuck Cochran, original NYSC Director and before my stay as a West Virginia delegate I had no idea what my grandfather had accomplished. A home for knowledge, friends, and fun like the Science Camp needs to be preserved and improved to continue delivering the excellent opportunities it so graciously has since 1963. As a member of the Board of Advisors I would be proud to carry on my grandfather's legacy and do all I can to make the National Youth Science Camp a lasting, life-changing experience for all generations to come.
Vote now! All votes must be received by 11 PM EST on Tuesday, November 6, 2007.
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