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Well-rounded computer science major earns international honor society scholarship

Published on February 03, 2025

Well-rounded computer science major earns international honor society scholarship

Valeta
Ian Valeta

Ian Valeta, a senior computer science major at Eastern Connecticut State University, has become involved on campus in a variety of ways. Most recently, he was accepted into Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines. This involvement has paid off: in December 2024, Valeta was one of only 34 recipients nationwide to receive a $1,000 UPE scholarship.

Valeta decided to apply for the scholarship shortly after joining the honor society. “I saw that the scholarship could be $1,000, which is not pocket change,” he said.

In an applicant pool consisting of members from more than 300 chapters worldwide, Valeta stood out. As part of the application essay, he got some help from Garrett Dancik, professor and department chair of computer science, to bolster his involvement with UPE.

“He asked me if I wanted to be part of the initiation ceremony for the upcoming year,” said Valeta. “Whatever I could do to help.”

Valeta’s fresh involvement with UPE strengthened his candidacy, which included his varied resume. He estimates that during his first year, he was involved with about 40 different clubs on campus. “I made it a goal to try every student club or organization in my first semester,” he said.

Now, Valeta has found his niche academically. With his degree nearly complete, he is working toward a minor in art with hopes of finding a computer science job with a small company after graduating. He also attends game development club meetings.

Valeta still seeks to get involved on campus this semester. “Maybe not 40 clubs, but two or three,” he said. Valeta also plans to work with incoming students during Eastern’s Summer Transition at Eastern Program/Contract Admissions Program (STEP/CAP) this coming summer.

To honor the impact his support system has made on him, Valeta also aims to give back by volunteering. “I wouldn’t be here without other people’s help,” he said. Currently, he volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grant program.

As for the scholarship award, Valeta is grateful and plans to make good use of it. “$1,000 doesn’t grow on trees,” he said.

“That’s going to help me get a meal plan, so I don’t have to worry too much about making or finding something to eat. That'll allow me to continue coding and helping people.”

Written by Noel Teter '24