Jacksonville student at Embry-Riddle earns second Astronaut Scholarship

Beth Reese Cravey, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
Updated ·1 min read
Vikas Patel, a Jacksonville aerospace engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, recently received the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s annual $15,000 scholarship.
Vikas Patel, a Jacksonville aerospace engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, recently received the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s annual $15,000 scholarship.

An accomplished Jacksonville aerospace engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University received the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation’s annual $15,000 scholarship for the second year.

Vikas Patel, a Stanton College Preparatory School alumnus, is in the foundation's elite 2024 Astronaut Scholar Class — "exceptional undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and math," according to the foundation.

"The best part … is the incredible community I get to join," he said, citing mentors. "Getting a chance to talk to and learn from retired astronauts, industry leaders and other scholars who are innovators in their fields is such an invaluable experience."

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The scholarship is sponsored by Copper Moon Coffee, an Indiana roastery with space program-focused philanthropy. Patel "has accomplished so much and is constantly finding ways to improve his experience while also inspiring and giving back to others," CEO Brad Gutwein said. "We are grateful to be a part of his journey."

bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville student at Embry-Riddle earns Astronaut Scholarship