Alumna Named Service to America Medal Finalist

Patricia Frounfelker '03, biological resources engineering.

Alumna Patricia Frounkelker (neé Scott, '03, Biological Resources Engineering) was one of fewer than 30 Federal employees named as finalists for a 2008 Service to America Medal. Frounfelker, an Army Research Laboratory engineer who works for the Survivability/Lethality Analysis Directorate at Aberdeen Proving Ground, was cited for her work's contribution to improving the safety of troops in and around tactical vehicles such as tanks, Strykers, and Bradleys.

Each year, Service to America Medals (also known as "Sammies") are awarded by the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit and nonpartisan group, to celebrate demonstrated excellence among Federal employees and others in civil service.

Frounfelker studies the injuries to soldiers that occur, or could occur, when the reactive armor used on vehicles cause collateral damage, particularly to soldiers on the ground nearby. Her assessments of safety, casualties and the materials used in tactical vehicles have, according to her nomination, "…directly benefited soldiers and Marines by identifying and assessing potential injuries they might suffer in or near U.S. combat vehicles. This has allowed the Army to modify the vehicles or the tactics, techniques and procedures before the vehicles are fielded to better protect U.S. military personnel. Her efforts have resulted in better equipped, better protected Warfighters, who are better able to protect and defend our nation.”

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Published September 18, 2008