Christiansen gets Google Borg award
Posted by Judy Riley on Tuesday, Apr. 25, 2006
Event Date/Time: Thursday, Apr. 27, 2006
Emily Christiansen, a University of Minnesota, Morris third-year student from White Bear Lake, has been named as a finalist for the 2006 Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship. Christiansen is among 28 highly qualified finalists who will receive $1,000 awards.
"I was very surprised and honored," said Christiansen when she learned she had received the award. "The computer science faculty [at UMM] have always been supportive of everything I undertake, and UMM has provided me with many amazing opportunities to learn, do research, travel and explore without which, I never would have received this recognition." Christiansen is majoring in computer science and French.
Dr. Anita Borg (1949 - 2003) devoted her adult life to revolutionizing the way people think about technology and dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. Borg's combination of technical expertise and fearless vision continues to inspire and motivate countless women to become active participants and leaders in creating technology.
According to Google, the popular online search engine, "…we are pleased to announce the 2006 Google Anita Borg Scholarship, through which we hope to encourage women to excel in computing and technology and become active role models and leaders."
Scholarships are awarded based on the strength of candidates' academic background and demonstrated leadership. A group of female undergraduate and graduate student finalists are chosen from the applicant pool.
All finalists were invited to visit Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., for a networking retreat in which they met and shared their experiences. The retreat included workshops with a series of speakers, panelists, breakout sessions and social activities.
Photo: Emily Christiansen
