Undergraduates Carey and Opert named 2008 CLSE fire protection scholarship recipients

Each year, the Center for Life Safety Education (CLSE) awards $7,000 in scholarships to two exemplary fire protection engineering students at the University of Maryland in College Park. The 2008 winners of the Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Memorial Scholarship are Allison Carey and Kelly Opert.

First place honors and a $4,000 scholarship were awarded to Allison Carey. The senior fire protection engineering major from Burtonsville, Maryland, boasts a 3.52 GPA and is involved in the student chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers in addition to serving as a Clarke School Ambassador. She also serves a mentor for Women in Engineering and is a member of the Society of Women in Engineering and the Salamander Honor Society, an engineering academic achievement group at the University of Maryland.

Selected as the second place winner, Kelly Opert will receive a $3,000 scholarship. An honor roll regular with a 3.63 GPA, the 21-year-old fire protection engineering major from Baltimore, Maryland, engages in a number of extracurricular activities including the student chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, College Park Scholars, RISE Program, Lakeland STARS, and the Salamander Honor Society.

Named in memory of the tireless fire sprinkler pioneer, the DeCamara Scholarship was established in the fall of 1984 to honor the man who used his creative talents during his lifetime to advance the goals of the fire sprinkler industry.

Now in its 24th year, the DeCamara scholarship is funded solely through donations by individuals and companies. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit CLSE online at www.clse.org and click on scholarships. To apply, write to DeCamara Scholarship, c/o CLSE, 12750 Merit Dr., Ste. 350, Dallas, Texas 75251; or click www.clse.org/scholarships.htm. For information, call 469-385-7638 or email scholarships@clse.org. Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1.

Published October 13, 2008