Glaxo Wellcome, Inc. donated 12 laptop computers with printers to Appalachian students and faculty at the annual Glaxo Wellcome Women in Science meeting on Oct. 5, in Research Triangle Park. 

Two of the laptops were given to the Glaxo Women in Science Scholarship recipients at Appalachian, and two more were given to promising freshmen majoring in science or math, said Acting Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Holly Hirst. 

The remaining computers are being used by faculty and students in science and math departments. 

“They asked us to use (the laptops) to promote science and math education on campus,” said Hirst. 

Tammy Lindsey and Amanda Goodman are the Glaxo Women in Science Scholarship recipients at Appalachian. 

According to Hirst, the scholarship is given to encourage young women to pursue careers in science and math. 

The scholarship recipients had to be nominated by a science or math professor and were then chosen due to their academic record, said Hirst. 

The scholarship is accompanied by a mentoring program that pairs each student with a Glaxo Wellcome woman scientist, said scholarship recipient and sophomore chemistry major Tammy Lindsey.  “I communicate with my mentor by e-mail about issues in science and about school,” said Lindsey. 

“I was surprised that a company would donate computers, and I’m excited, because I don’t have a computer,” Lindsey said. 

“This is the first computer I’ve had to work with in my room since I’ve been in college,” she added. 

According to Lindsey, even though women are still a minority in science-related fields, their future is looking brighter. 

Womens Studies faculty members are working toward this brighter future. “We’re trying to model a women in science group on campus like their women in science group at Glaxo Wellcome,” said Hirst. 

Glaxo Wellcome is an international pharmaceutical company specializing in biological and chemical research and development.