Susan Trice has been a member of ARCS MWC since 2004 and was sponsored by Vivian Teets. We applaud Susan’s continued commitment to ARCS MWC over the past 21 years and thank her for her continuing contributions to the chapter, especially her participation in so many leadership roles! Her dedication to ARCS MWC is evident from the fact that she was named an ARCS Light!

Susan first learned about ARCS MWC from member Vivian Teets (Vivian’s husband worked with Susan’s husband at Lockheed Martin). Susan was enthusiastic about joining because she has always valued investments in education. She remembers how much a scholarship meant when her husband was in graduate school and, by the time she joined ARCS MWC, how he then worked for a company that valued good scientists and engineers, like those supported by ARCS.

Susan stayed in ARCS MWC because she was impressed by the chapter’s members, including their generosity, their deep intelligence, and the fun they had (the spouses, too). As a new member learning about the organization, Susan was invited to run the silent auction fundraiser. The "ARCS Loves You" Valentine's party was the annual start of the campaign for auction donations. One year, a deceased member’s widower not only escorted all the single ladies who were among his wife's ARCS MWC best friends to the party, but also made a donation to the auction. This generosity proved to Susan that ARCS MWC friendships are lasting and deep! 

Susan was ARCS MWC Co-President during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and then VP, Development for the next two years. She remembers that the world suddenly completely changed and chapter members couldn’t socialize to celebrate the scholars, their research, and their universities, or to raise money to support the scholars. But she adds that the pandemic emphasized the importance of the unrestricted nature of the ARCS financial awards. Maybe scholars couldn't use the awards to travel to meetings to present research, but they might use them as a lifeline for child care when schools closed so they could continue their research.   

When asked what she would say to fellow ARCS MWC members, especially newer members, Susan said that when someone called her as a new member to run the silent auction, she’s glad she agreed to do so. She got to know so many members and she was impressed again and again with the commitment they demonstrated towards the mission. She has seen a lot of changes in ARCS MWC while she has been a member but says that the commitment to our mission and our scholars has only grown stronger. Susan says: Contribute your time and talent because our scholars are the future of scientific research and the future of our country.