Call of Duty Endowment Awards Veteran Lucas Braun a 2011-2012 College Scholarship

Back in February, we wrote a blog congratulating Lucas Braun on his Activision Blizzard and Call of Duty Endowment scholarship achievement. This 2011-2012 school semester, we have the privilege of doing it again. Through his strong academic performance and motivation to succeed, Lucas has proven yet again why he is not only worthy of our scholarship, but why he is worthy of it for a second time.

Lucas has been a leader even long before his current days as a father and academic. Spending 10 years in the Army, Lucas was awarded the prestigious honor of a Purple Heart. Once out of the military and trying to find civilian work, Lucas realized that he did not just want the odd and end jobs being presented to him, instead he wanted a career he could be passionate in pursing.

Lucas turned to Austin Community College, where he is studying Game Art. Lucas hopes that one day he will be able to design family friendly video games – ones that his own young children could play.

The Call of Duty Endowment is proud to congratulate Lucas for a second time this year, as his academic prowess and determination on and off the battlefield continue to impress us.

Catching Up With Matt Minnis, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship Winner From Madison Area Technical College

Veterans who go to school must juggle multiple tasks like everyone else, but their military training certainly prepares them well. Matt Minnis, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship recipient from Madison Area Technical College is one veteran who is looking forward to the challenge. This semester, Matt is looking forward to Switching and WAN Access classes. A course that will easily pack in two years of information into one semester. “There is a lot to learn and someday implement. It is quite the challenge!” Matt noted.

No matter how fun and interesting a class might be, doing the homework can still be a chore. But the discipline Matt learned while in the Marines has helped in the homework department. “In a combat situation, you don’t have time to think… you just do what you’re trained to do and don’t question orders” Matt explained. With that mentality, he is able to “just go to school, learn, go home, do homework.” He just gets it done!

Congratulations to Matt for receiving a scholarship from the Call of Duty Endowment and keep up the great work!

Catching Up With Daniel Stevenson, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship Winner from Austin Community College

Daniel Stevenson, Call of Duty Endowment scholarship recipient from Austin Community College, spent five years in the Marine Corps and was able to see many different places. But since attending college, Daniel can’t wait to stay in Austin, “I’m ready to stay home. I’ve Already done lots of traveling.” He’s ready to stay in one place and plan for a future in a career he loves.

With the travel bug out of his system, Daniel can pay more attention to his school work in Video Game Art Design. What’s his favorite class this year you might be asking? That title goes to 3D Modeling where Daniel can put his ideas into something physical. “There is something that just clicks with me,” Daniel explained about his favorite class. Another class on Daniel’s radar is Game Testing where he is given a chance to see what it takes to be a game developer, “it gives me an idea if I can really do this for a career.”

Congratulations again to Daniel and continue the great work in school! Stay tuned for more updates from more of the Call of Duty Endowment’s scholarship winners!

Catching Up With Eric Sutton, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship Winner From Madison Area Technical College

College life is almost over for Eric Sutton, Call of Duty Endowment scholarship recipient from Madison Area Technical College. Once he completes “Email in a Windows Environment,” he will be eligible for graduation! With graduation comes the daunting task of applying for jobs, but Eric isn’t worried. He took “Technical Reporting” last semester to prepare him for life in a job setting. “I was able to learn how to properly write memos, professional emails, cover letters, and complaint letters” Eric noted. “With this knowledge, I will be better able to apply for jobs.”

College classes are not the only things that have prepared Eric for life after graduation. His time spent in the military taught him strong leadership skills and, equally as important, being able to finish what he starts. All of those skills will take him far after college. After all, Eric has plans for his future, “in five years I hope to be working towards a middle management position with a respective IT company,” he added.

The Call of Duty Endowment offers another congratulations to Eric for receiving a scholarship! Keep up the great work and good luck after graduation.

Catching Up With Lucas Braun, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship Winner From Austin Community College

Keeping up with three kids who play after school sports and going to school yourself can be a difficult task, but Lucas Braun manages to pull it off. The Austin Community College scholarship recipient is used to multi-tasking after serving in the military, “how to multi-task, being punctual, and attention to detail are probably the most important things I learned that will help me in everyday life outside the military.”

That type of commitment learned from being in the service will also help Lucas out as he begins his first semester in video game classes, “I’m just excited to be done with my core classes and moving onto the classes that are in my major degree program.” One class in particular tops the list as his most anticipated class of the semester, “I am looking forward to Game Creation the most.”

The Call of Duty Endowment would like to congratulate Lucas for receiving a scholarship. Keep up the great work in school!

Stay tuned for more updates from other scholarship winners!

Catching Up With Joshua Carr, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship Winner From Austin Community College

As many of you might remember, last September, the Call of Duty Endowment awarded a total of eight students with majors in video game design, graphic arts, and information technology a $2,500 scholarship. There were four students awarded from Madison Area Technical College and another four from Austin Community College. This week the Call of Duty Endowment will highlight a winner from Austin Community College. Stay tuned for more updates on scholarship winners!

Joshua Carr, a Game Art Design major, doesn’t have much free time on his hands. He’s spending so much time in class he rarely has time to play his coveted x-box. Even ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ takes a back seat to his studies, “Unfortunately I have not play played Black Ops, I have been so busy with school. I have heard and read nothing but great things about it and can’t wait to play it.”

Keeping up with the game industry can be a hard task when also learning the ins-and-outs of the technical side of game production. But, constant projects and learning new things always pay off when the portfolio class comes along. “It was great to see all of the work that I had done over the past couple of semesters,” noted Joshua.

The Call of Duty Endowment would like to congratulate Joshua on winning a scholarship. Great job and keep up the great work in school!

Educate and Advocate!

In case you missed it:  CODE had a major announcement on Friday about the creation of a new scholarship program in Texas and Wisconsin that will support veterans a career in videogame development.  CODE will be working with Austin Community College (ACC) and Madison Area Technical College (MATC) to identify potential students and provide resources for the recipients, including funding for their software expenses, transportation costs and living expenses.  In total, CODE will be providing $10,000 to support students at these two schools pursue their long-term career path.

 These scholarships are one more way that CODE is helping veterans find jobs after their service to our country.  Check out this news article about the new scholarship opportunity, and help us spread the word!

CODE and Activision Make an Educational Investment in Veterans…

Today the Call of Duty Endowment and Activision are announcing the creation of a new scholarship program to assist those veterans pursuing a career in videogame development at Austin Community College (ACC) and Madison Area Technical College (MATC).  The program will assist veterans at these schools with the costs of software, transportation, and other educational needs, while the GI bill covers tuition costs for U.S. veterans at most schools.  ACC and MATC were chosen by CODE and Activision because of their gaming and illustration programs, as well as the high number of veterans’ enrolled at each school and the participation of military veterans in the relevant course work.  

The scholarships will help to fulfill CODE’s mission of ensuring that veterans are provided a clear path to new careers after their military service is complete.  Recognizing that our nation’s veterans are some of the brightest and hardest working individuals our nation has to offer, the Call of Duty Endowment and Activision wanted to encourage and help create a path for more of these men and women to enter the field of video game production.  

Applications are now being accepted at both schools for students looking to pursue the scholarship, with the initial scholarship recipients to be announced in August.  The Call of Duty Endowment and Activision will track the development of the scholarship winners through the CODE website and other mediums as they progress throughout the program.  In total, CODE will donate $100,000 to fund the scholarship programs, which will exist for at least five years at each school.

To apply or learn more about  the scholarships at MATC, click here.

To apply or learn more about the scholarships at ACC,  click here.

Those individuals that have put their lives on the line to protect our country deserve to be rewarded with 21st century careers.  These scholarships will help them get there!