Montgomery County Community College business student Robert Smith began his summer with a trip to the University of California to attend a weeklong scientific statistics workshop. The prestigious program at Berkeley, titled "Explorations in Statistics Research," only accepted 24 applicants nationwide.
The National Science Foundation provided a grant to fund the program and covered all of the students’ travel and related expenses. Once at Berkley, the students explored scientific questions using statistical approaches in computer labs.
Smith, who maintains a 3.98 grade point average and excels at mathematics, was eager to learn more about statistical computing.
"It was quite an honor," he said. "I enjoyed using technology and learning new approaches to statistics and analyses."
Smith’s statistics instructor, Brandon Klarman, informed him about Berkeley’s program and encouraged him to submit the application, essay and his grade transcripts.
Klarman describes Smith as an "impressive student whom he has had the privilege to teach" and as a student who is "achieving at an extremely high level."
Smith grew up in Hatfield, Pa., and he graduated from North Penn High School where he took honors math courses. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps for four years and did tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. In Iraq, Smith was in charge of an armory of weapons worth more than $2.9 million and earned a medal of achievement for his command. He now serves in the inactive reserves.
Smith’s plans include completing his degree at the College summer and attending Villanova University in the fall to study Accounting. He is considering careers in accounting, investment banking and/or with the FBI.
"The faculty at Montgomery County Community College are great," he said, describing his experience. "The instructors go beyond teaching the curriculum by applying the material."
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by Diane VanDyke
