Our Chapter's scholarship program is named to honor Rear Admiral Scott L. Sears who was born in Cleburne, TX. in 1945. Selected to flag rank as an Acquisition Professional in January 1991, Rear Admiral Sears was a graduate of Duke University's School of Business, Advanced Management Program and the National Defense University Capstone Program. His Personal awards include three Legion of Merits, three Meritorious Service Medals, two Navy Commendation Medals and two Navy Achievement Medals. Rear Admiral Sears passed away on December 31, 2011.

Career highlights:

Graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1966 with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Physics and Economics.

Completed Naval Submarine School in 1966, and subsequently served aboard USS Barbel and USS Gudgeon.

Attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated with two Master of Science Degrees in Electrical Engineering.

Served aboard USS Spadefish, USS Flying Fish and USS Henry L. Stimson.

Led the Plans, Programs and Advanced Systems Section on the Chief of Naval Operations staff.

Was the first Commander of the nuclear powered submarine, USS Albuquerque.

Deputy Commander for Training and Operations, Submarine Squadron Seventeen.

Oversaw the Tactical Weapons Branch, Chief of Naval Operations staff.

Program Manager, Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters for the development of the combat system for the next-generation attack submarine Seawolf.

Commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, RI.

Retired in 1995.