2016 Recipients

Edward EJ Vaughn

University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

Major: Bachelors of Science in Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering

Currently: 2020 graduate from the Grainger College of Engineering at UIUC with a BS in Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering May, 2020. I have accepted a full-time offer with Exelon Nuclear at their Warrenville office, which I will begin this summer following graduation.

Impact of RAK Scholarship: The RAK scholarship has remained a positive influence in my life through my 4 years of college. Knowing how much Rob was able to accomplish and how many lives he touched in his short time, it is an incredible motivation to achieve my best and try to emulate him any chance I get. It's a reminder to live in the moment and create lasting memories and relationships, and to cherish experiences in life. Additionally, no matter what is going on at school it has been a great comfort to think of my extended RAK family at home, and to look forward to the golf outing each summer.

As high school gets further away, I look back and realize my development and memories from that time are irreplaceable. I'm still close to my friend group from high school, full of other RAK nominees and finalists. It's impressive how the scholarship committee so consistently finds a group of quality future leaders. Being lucky enough to have received the scholarship, I'm driven to be the role model and leader my high-school self would look up to.