AAUW Presents Florida Tech Award to Graduating Senior

MELBOURNE, FLA.—The American Association of University Women (AAUW), Melbourne Branch, recently presented the organization’s Academic Award for Excellence for Women to Florida Tech graduating senior Mikaela Devaux. Though born in Melbourne, Fla., Devaux completed secondary school in St. Lucia, Eastern Caribbean. She graduated from Florida Tech with faculty honors and a 4.0 grade point average in May. Devaux, at 20, was also the youngest to earn a bachelor’s degree at that commencement ceremony.

A pre-medical biology major, Devaux participated in undergraduate research on proteins while at the university and has been accepted to the University of Central Florida medical school. She has volunteered at Wuesthoff Medical Center and with such organizations as the American Heart Association, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Brevard and Habitat for Humanity. She has participated in Relay for Life events and the Susan G. Komen walk to cure cancer.

At Florida Tech Devaux was a member of several honor societies. These included Tri Beta, the national biological sciences honor society; Phi Eta Sigma; and Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. She made the Dean’s List each semester, was president of the pre-med club, and was awarded a student scholar award and an outstanding junior award.

Susan Earles, Florida Tech associate professor of computer and electrical engineering, and an AAUW member, presented the award.

Founded in 1881, AAUW promotes equity for all women and girls, lifelong education and positive societal changes. The organization, including the Melbourne Branch, is open to all graduates who hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university. The AAUW, through its Educational Foundation, provides scholarship and fellowship funding to support women in graduate school and in research.