Brother Spencer Martin, Iota Beta/Missouri State 2016, a double major in computer science and geospatial sciences with a minor in mathematics, was recently honored as the first student from Missouri State University to win the Science, Mathematics and Research award for Transformation (SMART) from the U.S. Department of Defense.
SMART is a Scholarship for Service Program that gives students pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics the opportunity to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion. Awardees must be able to participate in DOD summer internships, be willing to accept post-graduate employment, and be a student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The program is very selective, and only about 10 percent of the applicants are accepted.
Martin said that he first heard about the SMART Program from a poster hanging on the bulletin board in the Computer Science building and decided to apply.
“The program had some great benefits, and it seemed like an incredible opportunity,” said Martin. “I figured the worst thing they could do was tell me no, so I applied,” he said.
A few months later, Martin learned that he was one of the few applicants accepted.
“I was very excited when I heard that I had received the award,” said Martin. “It was a very exciting time for me and though a great deal of paperwork had to be completed very quickly, the feeling of success and accomplishment was well worth it. I felt very honored to have been chosen,” he said.
This summer Martin will be working with NAVOCEANO, the Naval Oceanographic Office.
“I’m not sure what I will be doing,” said Martin, “but the Naval Oceanographic Office is a subset of the Department of Defense,” he continued.
Has being a member of Theta Chi contributed to this success in any way?
“Being a member of Theta Chi had a definite role in my winning this award,” said Martin. “Theta Chi provided me with unmatched opportunity on my campus and gave me the chance to work alongside men that had a strong grounding in beliefs and ideals that breed leadership. Without the leadership experience and confidence I gained in myself from being in Theta Chi, I probably would not have applied for this award or received it if I did apply,” he said.
And then he added…
“If you want to do something incredible, whether it's getting involved in an incredible career field, making a difference in your community or even just striving for high academic standards, don't be afraid to take that first step and just go for it,” said Martin. “Don't let other people or factors in your life play a counteractive role in achieving what you want to achieve. If you truly ground yourself in your goals, no one else can stop you from being successful,” he said.