William Rane Nolan, 2005 graduate of Scott Community High School and 2009 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been awarded a Cambridge International Scholarship from the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England. Nolan is a mechanical engineer whose interests have always been focused toward aerospace endeavors. His award is under the direction of Dr. Holger Babinsky, a fellow in the ThermoFluids division of the department of engineering. The CIS allows Nolan to pursue his doctorate degree in engineering with full funding, with his research concentrating on high-speed aerodynamics and supersonic flight. He is also a recipient of additional funding through the generosity of the Scott Community Foundation. Rane is the son of Bill and Marian Nolan of Scott City.
Rane Nolan was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship and Gates Scholarship in 2009. After interviewing for both awards, he was notified of the award from the University of Cambridge. While the other scholarships fund
two years of studies in England, with the option of renewing for an additional year if qualified, the CIS provides the vehicle to complete a doctorate in 3-4 years.
Nolan had a successful career at MIT. In addition to be a four-year starter and three-year varsity member of the Men's Heavyweight 8+ rowing team, he was named into Tau Beta Pi, The Engineering Honor Society in the spring of 2008, Pi Kappa Chapter of Pi Tau Sigma, the International Mechanical Engineering Honors Society in the fall of 2007, as well as the MIT chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in 2007.
He researched powdered metals for Drexel University in Philadelphia during the summer of 2008, under the direction of Dr. Mitra Taheri, and presented his paper at the TMS 2009 Annual Meeting and Exhibition in San Francisco in February of 2009.
Nolan was matriculated into the University of Cambridge and Trinity Hall College in October of 2009. He is currently rowing in the heavyweight 8+ for his college. The photo is Rane at his matriculation ceremony into Trinity Hall, The University of Cambridge.