Carol Bartz Scholarship for Math, Science and Engineering

As announced last April in honor of Carol's 14 years of leadership at Autodesk, the Carol Bartz Scholarship for Math, Science and Engineering was established, providing a total of $20,000 for a boy and $20,000 for a girl over a period of four years while attending college.  After reading several essays, Carol selected Thomas Nguyen, 19, and Anna Phan, 18, as the recipients of the scholarships.  Both awardees graduated from Marin high schools in 2006.

Carol with Thomas Nguyen and Anna Phan

Thomas, who attended Redwood High School, will attend UCLA, majoring in Biology.  Anna attended San Rafael High School and will attend UC Davis, majoring in Biological Sciences.

When Carol read the essays she was very pleased with the quality and the effort. "I read eight different and unique essays," said Carol, "and I had to narrow it down to two.  While they were all excellent, Anna and Thomas were the clear winners.  I was very impressed with their personal stories as well as their academic records.  They will go very far in life!"  

Carol had lunch with the winners and their parents at a casual gathering at Headquarters in August where she personally gave each student $1,000 to help them with their books.  "I just took my own daughter to college and I couldn't believe how expensive the books were!" Carol exclaimed.

After having lunch with Carol, Anna wrote her a letter which read, in part, "I was very glad to meet you face to face...after talking to you I found out that you are not only a kind person, but a very generous person who wants people to succeed in life. I will try my best to not let your efforts go to waste.  Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and the love of education for others."

Carol with Thomas and Anna and their parents

Thomas wrote to Carol, "In looking ahead to my first year at UCLA, I will try to remind myself of the importance of mathematics in the field of science and embrace my classes with curiosity.  Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity."

The Carol Bartz Scholarship is a perpetual award that will be granted to two new Marin students every year.  The $20,000 per student grant will be given in $5,000 increments to the colleges over a period of four years - the first payment of $2,500 donated in September, 2006, followed by another $2,500 in January. 

It will be great to see what these bright young people end up doing by they time they graduate from college.

Congratulations, Carol, Thomas and Anna for this exciting kick-off to the Carol Bartz Scholarship for Math, Science and Engineering!

(Left to right) Traci Lanier of Marin Education Fund, Mr. Nguyen, Thomas Nguyen, Carol, Anna Pham, Mrs. Pham, Julie Wilder, Kim Mazzuca of Marin Education Fund