CU alum presents otherworldly award
Astronaut and CU alumnus Scott Carpenter is looking to the future of space programs.
Carpenter, who now lives in Vail, came back to CU with one mission: to recognize an exceptional student.
On Thursday, senior engineering physics and applied mathematics major Ben Safdi was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation of which Carpenter is a founding member.
Safdi was very excited, but humble.
“I’d like to thank the department of applied mathematics and the department of physics,” Safdi said after thanking the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation. He referred to his achievement as “the result of the opportunities that CU has granted me.”
Born in Boulder, Carpenter graduated from CU in 1949 with a degree in aeronautical engineering.
“(Boulder has) changed at a rate that I can’t keep up with,” Carpenter said regarding his recent return. “I get lost in my home town. (At CU) they teach things today in science that weren’t known (when I graduated) . . . we’re smarter across the board.”
Carpenter also pointed out how much the space program has slowed down in recent years due to international collaboration on space programs.
“Cooperation is not as inspiring as competition is,” Carpenter said, especially regarding the potential of mars exploration programs. “We need someone like John F. Kennedy to galvanize people.”
Carpenter’s message sank in with many at the event including freshman aerospace engineering major Aaron Young.
“It was just incredible to witness a legend,” said Young, who aspires to be an astronaut. “(I came to the event) to fuel my dreams.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Sam Dieter at sam.dieter@thecampuspress.com
