University of California Davis Student Awarded Bushnell Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Scholarship
OutdoorHub 03.04.13
Bushnell Outdoor Products, an industry-leader in high performance sports optics and outdoor accessories for 65 years, and the University of California Davis(UC Davis) have recognized Christopher Barton as the second annual recipient of the Bushnell Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Scholarship.
Established in 2011, in conjunction with the Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Award that’s presented annually to a journalist who has made a profound impact in the outdoor industry, the $7,500 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student in the UC Davis optical science and engineering program.
As a legendary figure in the optics industry, Bill McRae is not only known for his immense contributions to the outdoor industry, but for his dedication to mentoring journalists and industry professionals. Given all that McRae has contributed throughout his life, Bushnell established the UC Davis scholarship to share his legacy and support the next generation of optical engineers.
This year’s recipient, Christopher Barton of Fremont, Calif., is a senior in the UC Davis optical science & engineering program and carries a 3.40 GPA. He plans to use the scholarship to pay his tuition, allowing him to focus on academics and minimize his student loan debt.
“Engineering is a very challenging curriculum, and it is important students are able to focus on academics full-time to perform at the highest level,” said Jean VanderGheynst, UC Davis College of Engineering associate dean. “The award established by Bushnell to honor Bill McRae exemplifies the impact a corporate partner can make in the life of a student.”
The Bushnell Bill McRae Lifetime Achievement Scholarship is a $7,500 annual award available to students in the UC Davis optical science & engineering program. The award, administered by the dean of the college of engineering, is available to undergraduate and graduate students who maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 while pursuing a degree in optical science & engineering.
