ARCS Los Angeles Founder Chapter

ARCS Los Angeles Founder Chapter

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, Inc. (ARCS) was founded in Los Angeles, California in the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s launching of Sputnik, the world’s first space satellite, by four dynamic women, Florence Malouf, Irene Slagel, Alice Tyler, and Helene Wooldridge. Determined to address their concerns of the United States’ parity in scientific and technological achievement worldwide, these women sought the counsel of Dr. DuBridge, then President of the California Institute of Technology. Their discussions resulted in a dramatic and aggressive goal -- to re-establish and to re-energize the technological superiority of the United States.

On September 5, 1958, Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation, Inc. was formally incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit organization in the State of California. This was the beginning of ARCS dream to support outstanding American scholars whose studies placed them on the cutting edge of the physical, chemical and biological sciences, medicine and engineering.

After an intense effort by the co-founders, 53 philanthropic leaders in Los Angeles with links to the aerospace industry were brought together to form the first membership of ARCS Foundation. In 1965, a junior auxiliary group was organized and merged in 2000 with the founding chapter. Since its inception in 1958, ARCS has grown from this founder chapter in Los Angeles to a national organization of sixteen chapters. Collectively, these chapters have contributed over $97 million in support of outstanding American science scholars at 54 of the country’s leading universities. Of the total amount ARCS Los Angeles Founder Chapter has provided over $23 million in scholar awards. In July 2009, in recognition of ARCS philanthropic contributions to our scholars, ARCS was the recipient of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), James L. Fisher Award for Distinguished Service to Education.

ARCS was conceived as, and remains, a volunteer organization. Its members are dedicated to raising funds for scholar awards that are allocated yearly to carefully chosen prestigious colleges and universities. Academically outstanding science students are identified by the recipient schools and awarded scholarships to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees. All donor solicitation expenses are underwritten, including any other related services, and are provided by the members of ARCS, thus assuring that 100% of every dollar donated for our scholars goes directly to their awards.

Our country’s future clearly depends upon the brilliant men and women scholars attending our colleges and universities today. Their inspired determination and passion gives all of the members of ARCS an equally passionate determination to help them succeed. We invite each of you to partner with us to maintain ARCS mission and sustain the dream and reality of ARCS Los Angeles Founder Chapter.

Thanks from Erick Moen, Graduate Student at University of Southern California

"Becoming an ARCS Scholar truly changed my graduate career. It gave me the opportunity to connect with my current advisor, Dr. Andrea Armani, and the freedom to focus on expanding my research. My work is very multi-dimensional, spanning topics ranging from nonlinear optics to biology to virtual reality. These types of investigations require collaborations across disparate departments and are very difficult to complete without external support. Recently, because of this research, I was named one of the top five PhD students in the Electrical Engineering department at USC, the only American this tear to receive the honor. As a result of this award, I will have a leadership role within the department, encourage students and be a resource for expanding innovation. It is a powerful illustration of the influence the ARCS Foundation has on its scholars."

Thanks from Clayton Bingham, Graduate Student at University of Southern California

"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude at having been selected for the ARCS Foundation Scholarship. I am currently in the middle of my second year of pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at University of Southern California. My own work is centered on modeling the response of brain tissue to electrical stimulation, which is an increasingly important type of intervention in brain pathologies such as epilepsy, Parkinson's, dystonia, and depression. It is my career ambition to further develop novel interfaces between computers and brains, both as a means to mitigate cognitive impairment and to enhance natural function. I will not be quick to forget the significance of this award in helping to ensure my progress along the path to becoming a respected expert in engineered neural systems."

Thanks from Janelle Liu, Graduate Student at University of California, Los Angeles

"Thank you for your generous financial support towards my higher education. I am investigating the neural basis of language learning in the infant brain. To do this, I use neuroimaging techniques to examine the functional and structural connectivity of the developing brain. Ultimately, I plan to pursue a career in academia to become a leading professor in my field. In the world of academic research, the quest to secure funding is a constant struggle. The ARCS Foundation has alleviated that burden for me and made it possible for me to pursue my passions in scientific research. Thanks to you, I am able to devote more time to my research and focus on what I love to do."