Robotics scholarship embodies Purdue’s investment in Indiana students and the future of STEM

The Purdue Robotics Scholarship is more than just a financial award — it’s a gateway to opportunity. This powerful partnership between TechPoint Youth and Purdue University goes beyond recognizing academic achievement and leadership in STEM; it actively invests in the future engineers, innovators and problem-solvers our world needs.

“The Purdue Robotics Scholarship is just one of many ways that Purdue University is investing in Indiana STEM students, as we look to strengthen our region and accelerate Indiana’s STEM pipeline and tech ecosystem,” said Cherise Hall, vice provost for enrollment management. The scholarship covers the full cost of resident tuition for four years and has been awarded annually at the Indiana State Robotics Championship since 2022. Presented by TechPoint Youth, the Indiana Robotics State Championship is the largest robotics state championship in the nation.

At the March 22, 2025, event, which featured more than 1,900 students and 320 teams, Hall presented the Purdue Robotics Scholarship to two incredible students: Tressa Howey from Fremont High School and Cody Blackburn from Brownstown Central High School. This marks the first time the scholarship has been awarded to two students.

Howey thought she was attending the state robotics competition to celebrate her team’s Amaze Award — only to be surprised with a scholarship to Purdue. As the senior leader of her team, Howey has demonstrated the same blend of technical skill, leadership and drive that Purdue champions in its STEM scholars. She enrolled in engineering for the fall and plans to study mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Blackburn, too, believed he was simply volunteering at the competition — until Hall announced his name on stage. A tireless contributor to his team and a standout in academics and extracurriculars, Blackburn’s curiosity, creativity and work ethic made him a clear choice for the scholarship. He’ll join Purdue with plans to study mechanical engineering after graduating this spring.

“Purdue Robotics Scholarship recipients represent the power of passion, preparation and possibility,” Hall said. “Together, they illustrate that when students are given the tools and support they need, there’s no limit to what they can build.”

Past scholarship recipients Austin Guerrero (2024) and Abby Beauchamp (2022) are examples of that possibility. Beauchamp was a high school senior and dedicated robotics student volunteering at TechPoint Youth’s State Robotics Championship in 2022 when she was surprised as the inaugural recipient of the Purdue Robotics Scholarship — an achievement that turned her college dream into a reality.

Now a junior majoring in industrial engineering, Beauchamp is thriving both academically and socially at Purdue. “Robotics helped me develop leadership and problem-solving skills,” she said. “The skills have been transferable to Purdue engineering, my classes and life in general. I’m very grateful to receive the scholarship that helped me go to Purdue and get a great degree.”

Check out this personal video from Abby sharing how impactful this scholarship has been.