Brigadier General James P. Albritton (Ret.) returned to his alma mater on Thursday, May 24, 2025, to present the Brigadier General James P. and Edythe P. Albritton Scholarship to Optical Science and Nonproliferation (OSN) undergraduate group member Eric Realmuto during the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering’s annual awards ceremony. The scholarship—bestowed each year upon two Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets or midshipmen who excel academically in MAE—recognizes student–leaders who exemplify service, scholarship, and technical ingenuity.

Realmuto, a third-year Naval ROTC midshipman with a near-perfect GPA supports research activities in Dr. Kyle C. Hartig’s OSN Group focused on laser remote sensing and plasmas for national security applications. Accepting the award, he credited the UF MAE faculty and the NROTC staff for “cultivating an environment where discipline in the classroom translates directly to mission-focused engineering.”

Established in 2016 through a generous endowment from the Albrittons, the scholarship provides financial support to undergraduate MAE majors enrolled in any branch of UF’s ROTC programs. Recipients are selected on the basis of academic performance, leadership potential, and dedication to the ideals of the engineering profession and the U.S. military.

Congratulations to MIDN 3/C Eric Realmuto on this well-earned honor, and many thanks to Brigadier General and Mrs. Albritton for their continued investment in the next generation of engineering leaders.