Bob Jacobs Headquarters, Washington, DC April 6, 2001 (Phone: 202/358-1600) RELEASE: 01-68 NASA ADMINISTRATOR HONORED FOR EFFORTS TO BRING STUDENTS BACK TO SCIENCE NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin is being honored for his interest and efforts to bring students back to the studies of science and engineering. This weekend, the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of the ARCS Foundation, a national organizational dedicated to providing scholarships and other financial assistance to academically outstanding students, presents the Administrator with the 2001 Eagle Award. ARCS, which stands for Achievement Rewards for College Scientists, works to meet the Nation's need for scientists and engineers by helping the best and brightest graduate and doctorate students finance their studies in physical sciences, medicine and engineering. "Some of our most talented young people are not going into science and technology. This is not just a problem for NASA, but for the country as a whole, said Goldin. "To assure our leadership position we must renew the interest in science and engineering among the leaders of tomorrow. We have many exciting challenges - energy, health care, communications, transportation, space exploration and national defense - and we need to ask ourselves who will be responsible for America's scientific leadership two decades from now." This week, Administrator Goldin began serving his 10th year as head of the space agency and is NASA's longest-serving leader. ARCS was formed in 1958 in response to Sputnik and the need to improve America's position in the technology race. Since then, the organization has grown to 12 chapters throughout the United States and has awarded nearly 8,100 scholarships. Its volunteers have raised almost $40 million. Administrator Goldin will receive the award tomorrow at 7 p.m. EDT during the ARCS Spring Gala at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC. -end-