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ORAU 2025 Pollard Scholarship recipients announced

ORAU awarded five William G. Pollard Scholarships of $2,500 each toward undergraduate studies for the 2025-26 academic year. The recipients of this year’s scholarships include Courtney Collins, Brandon Dake, Caroline Ferguson, Kira Palau and Laura Scott.

Annually, ORAU awards these scholarships to employees’ children who display exceptional achievements in their high school or undergraduate studies. To be considered, applicants must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended, three references (at least two of which must be from teachers), and a 500-word essay describing their professional and personal interests.

Below are additional details on each of the 2025 winners:

Impact Areas

Courtney Collins

Courtney Collins, daughter of Amy Collins, is a rising junior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is studying finance with a concentration in real estate to become a real estate agent directly after graduating. On campus, Courtney is involved in the sorority Tri Delta and a prayer group, called 18:20. She is graduating in three years and has been recognized on the dean's list every semester.

Courtney Collins

Brandon Dake

Brandon Dake, son of Melanie Dake, will be a freshman student-athlete at Johnson University while working to earn his degree in nursing with a double major in Bible and theology. He plans to become a flight nurse after graduation, then go back to school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist or nurse anesthetist. During high school, Brandon volunteered with Special Olympics, where he worked with participants in various sports.

Brandon Dake

Caroline Ferguson

Caroline Ferguson, daughter of Michelle Ferguson, is a rising freshman at Ohio State University. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from Turpin High School, Caroline achieved an unweighted 4.0 GPA. She was vice president of the National Honor Society and participated in varsity soccer and the Quiz Team. Caroline volunteered as a TOP (The Outreach Program) soccer coach for children with disabilities, served on the 1N5 Youth Council for Suicide Prevention, and she was a camp counselor at her church for disadvantaged youth. Caroline is majoring in biochemistry within the honors program at OSU. She aspires to go to medical school and become a radiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon.

Caroline Ferguson

Kira Palau

Kira Palau, daughter of Angela Palau, is a rising senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, studying chemical and biological engineering with a minor in leadership and biomedical engineering. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2022. Kira has worked in a variety of research fields focused largely on environmental conservation, and she recently branched out into the field of material science. She has worked with the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization evaluating the ecological health of local woodlands and wetlands, participated in a self-directed research project at the University of Glasgow looking at the effects of increasing soil salinity on plant growth as well as conducting genetic research on cyanobacteria in a laboratory. This summer, Kira has begun research on polymerization in a material science/chemical engineering laboratory, where she will be working on her senior thesis. As she pursues her newfound interest in material science, she hopes to combine her passions—working to merge materials and conservation to advance the field of green energy.

Kira Palau

Laura Scott

Laura Scott, daughter of Kimberly Scott, is a second-year student at Tennessee Tech University, majoring in education with a concentration in middle school math (grades 6–10). She is on track to graduate in May 2027. Laura is committed to her academic success and passionate about her future teaching career. She currently works part time for Oak Ridge Schools, where she has developed an even greater appreciation for public education.

Laura Scott

The William G. Pollard Scholarship Awards are presented in honor of ORAU’s founder in recognition of his dedication to science and education. A University of Tennessee physics professor, Pollard founded the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies—which later became ORAU—to link the valuable scientific resources developed in Oak Ridge as part of the Manhattan Project with regional universities.

ORAU Media Contacts and Information

About ORAU

ORAU integrates academia, government and industry to advance the nation’s learning, health and scientific knowledge to build a better world. Through our specialized teams of subject matter experts, decades of experience, and collaborations with our consortium of more than 160 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU is a recognized leader when the priorities of our federal, state, local, and commercial customers require innovative solutions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). ORAU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and government contractor.

Media Contacts

Pam BoneeDirector, CommunicationsCell: (865) 603-5142
Wendy WestManager, CommunicationsCell: (865) 207-7953