Sharri Berg, president of FOX Weather, announced that Mark Kimoto has been chosen as the recipient of the second annual scholarship offered by FOX Weather in collaboration with Mississippi State University.
According to a news release, the scholarship, part of a long-standing partnership between FOX Weather and Mississippi State, was initially introduced in November 2021. The previous scholarship recipient, Haley Meier, will graduate in July and join FOX Weather as a meteorologist and multimedia journalist.
Berg expressed pride in supporting the upcoming generation of meteorologists and eagerly anticipated Haley’s full-time integration into the FOX Weather team while extending support to Mark in his academic pursuits. The enduring collaboration with Mississippi State’s esteemed STEM program was commended, and FOX Weather expressed enthusiasm for continuing the partnership.
Kimoto expressed his gratitude, “Being chosen as the recipient of FOX Weather’s annual scholarship is a true honor. The opportunities accompanying this program are immense, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. This scholarship will provide me with the means to continue my education more comfortably, and I am eternally thankful.”
In his sophomore year at Mississippi State, Kimoto is pursuing a degree in Geoscience with a specialization in Professional Meteorology and a minor in Communication. He is an active member of both the East Mississippi Chapter of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. Notably, he served on a committee organizing the Southeast Severe Storms Symposium. Kimoto has also undergone training as a SKYWARN weather spotter under the National Weather Service.
Originally from Plainview, New York, he graduated from Syosset High School on Long Island in 2022. In 2020, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America and was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student in 2021.
As an integral component of their enduring collaboration, FOX Weather and Mississippi State University have established a scholarship program aimed at fostering the development of the meteorology field. This perpetually endowed scholarship encompasses various provisions, including a FOX Weather internship opportunity and the guidance of a dedicated FOX Weather meteorologist who will serve as a mentor throughout the duration of the scholarship.
Preference for this esteemed scholarship is given to undergraduate students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above. The scholarship funds will be allocated towards supporting Kimoto’s educational expenses for the upcoming academic year of 2023-2024.
