AE Undergrad Wins National Space Club Keynote Scholarship

3/18/2013 Susan Mumm

Erik Lopez receives a $10,000 scholarship as well as the honor of delivering the keynote address.

Written by Susan Mumm

In March 2012, Erik Lopez and several other Aerospace Engineering at Illinois undergraduates sat in the audience listening as a high school student addressed a couple of thousand aerospace professionals gathered for the Goddard Memorial Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Impressed, Lopez tapped a friend on his shoulder and predicted, “Next year, that’s going to be me up there.”

One year later, and Lopez is true to his word.

Lopez has been selected as the 2013 winner of the inaugural National Space Club Keynote Scholarship, an honor that secures his role as the keynote speaker during the club’s 56th Annual Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner on Friday, March 22, at the Washington Hilton.

Created in 2012 by the National Space Club, the Keynote Scholarship is awarded a high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student whose intention is to pursue a career in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields. The winner receives a $10,000 scholarship as well as the honor of delivering the keynote address. To qualify, scholarship hopefuls complete online applications and submit 3-minute videos on why space inspires them.

The National Space Club Executive Committee conducted interviews of the three finalists in early January. Shortly thereafter, Lopez, now a sophomore, was on the road with his father, traveling to Houston to begin a Co-Op experience at the NASA Johnson Space Center, when he got the call announcing him as the winner.

“When I saw the call was from Washington, D.C., we immediately pulled over and I was hoping for the best,” Lopez said. “I was in shock, honestly. Considering how the interview went, I wasn’t sure that I was what they were looking for. It was my chance to make an impact so I took a serious tone in the interview.

“I was ecstatic; I’m very blessed. I still can’t believe it’s really happening.”

AE Undergraduate Erik Lopez testing an experiment in zero gravity while aboard the Weightless Wonder (aka, Vomit Comet).
AE Undergraduate Erik Lopez testing an experiment in zero gravity while aboard the Weightless Wonder (aka, Vomit Comet).
AE Undergraduate Erik Lopez testing an experiment in zero gravity while aboard the Weightless Wonder (aka, Vomit Comet).

The National Space Club will fly Lopez and his parents to Washington, D.C., on March 19, to prepare for the dinner. He acknowledges that the prospect of speaking before such a large crowd of his peers is intimidating.

“I am very nervous, but someone once said, ‘If it doesn’t make you nervous, quit doing it.’” Lopez said. “I’ll be ready for it. In the next few weeks I should be able to develop something they’ll be receptive to.”

The honor already has caught the attention of notable individuals: Illinois Chancellor Phyllis Wise sent Lopez her personal congratulations. “I was very shocked to see that; that was incredible,” he said.

Lopez had accumulated experience in the space industry and a number of honors prior to the National Space Club’s recognition.

Watch Lopez's audition video here.


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This story was published March 18, 2013.