April 05, 2018

Shippensburg University student wins 18th annual Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

Foreman, a physics major with minors in biology, chemistry, mathematics, French, Spanish and military science, received a $1,000 cash prize for winning the award. The Board of Governors recognized his accomplishments at its meeting today. He expects to graduate in May and has a current overall GPA of 3.8 and has made the Dean’s List every semester since his freshman year.

The Ali-Zaidi award is presented annually to a graduating senior at one of the 14 State System universities. It recognizes outstanding academic achievement and participation in extra- and co-curricular activities. This is the 18th year for the award, which was established in 2001 by Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a founding member of the State System’s Board of Governors.

Each of the 14 university presidents recommends a candidate for the award at the conclusion of a campus application and selection process. Selection criteria comprise academic scholarship, including prizes, honors and membership in honorary societies; participation in extra/co-curricular activities; and a two-page essay by the nominee addressing how the university has prepared him or her for the next career step.

“The Ali-Zaidi award gives us the opportunity each year to recognize students who excel in every area of campus life, both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Board of Governors Chairwoman Cynthia D. Shapira. “The winners of this award not only are outstanding students, but also are outstanding citizens, contributing to their communities in very meaningful ways. They are—Bradley is—a winner in every sense of the word.”

Foreman interned for two summers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Ames Research Center in California. As a research intern during his first summer there, he worked with NASA scientists on experiments relating to the effect of microgravity on biological processes. Last summer, he served as the center’s deputy director of military programs, during which he oversaw processing, met administrative needs and provided mentorship for all military program interns. He also spent part of last summer studying in France.

Hoping to land a career in the astronautical industry, he translated The Astronaut Instruction Manual, a best-selling children’s book, into Spanish to help expand the impact of underrepresented communities in the space industry.

Among his other activities, Foreman served as a volunteer coordinator for a candidate for Seattle City Council and worked as a cook, janitor and teacher at El Rancho San Juan Bosco, an orphanage housing 50 boys in Tecate, Mexico. He taught English while at the orphanage.

Foreman has worked for WSYC-88.7, the university’s student radio station, since 2015, founding and hosting the region’s first Hispanic radio show. He reported current events relating to Latino culture, including politics, sports and entertainment. He also worked as the web editor for the campus newspaper, The Slate.

He has been a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at Shippensburg for four years, leading training and social events for more than 100 cadets serving in the Raider Battalion. He also was a member of the Maryland Army National Guard, graduating from advanced individual training with distinguished honors and serving as a Blackhawk repair specialist.

Foreman earned a number of scholarships and other academic honors over the last four years and has belonged to several academic organizations, including the physics and chemistry clubs.

Finalists for this year’s Ali-Zaidi Award were: Emily Haney of Danville, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania; Ellen Mari Boyle of Greensburg, California University of Pennsylvania; Anitra Jackson of Boothwyn, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania; Jacob Beckey of New Brighton, Clarion University of Pennsylvania; Leah Morrison of Erie, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania; Carmela Battista of East Stroudsburg, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania; Jennifer Brand of Murrysville, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; Sara Wingert of Lehighton, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania; Scott Shreiber of New Cumberland, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania; Richard Pollock of Dalton, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania; Jennifer Houtz of Millersville, Millersville University of Pennsylvania; Grascen Shidemantle of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania; and Sara Nyholm of Huntingdon Valley, West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Each of the finalists received a certificate in recognition of his or her accomplishment.