Scholar Highlight: Sebastian Niuman

Sebastian N. is the stepson of U.S. Army Corporal Alfred J. He was only ten years old when his stepfather lost his life in 2007 while serving in Iraq. “His military service meant him doing what he believed was right, not only for himself but for those he impacted overseas,” Sebastian explained. As a Fallen Patriots scholarship recipient, Sebastian graduated from Penn State University, then was connected to full-time employment with Kaiser Aluminum as a Process Engineer.

“Fallen Patriots has tremendously helped and impacted my life for the better. From helping financially with books to putting me in contact with Kaiser Aluminum, I am so grateful,” said Sebastian. “Kaiser Aluminum is an industry leader in aluminum products. Every day I am working in a different area or learning something new, one day I can be working on a 4000 Ton press and the next working with a furnace at +1000 F.”

Sebastian’s favorite classes during college were specific to the study of metals and ceramics. “I saw it as the study of everything around us, and I wanted to understand it all.” He credits those classes with helping him prepare for his role in supporting the Kaiser’s facility. “I help the other Process Engineers with extrusion and casting processes, I help the Die Engineer with designing and testing of dies and help management up front organize and plan orders.”

There are approximately 25,000 children who have lost an active-duty parent in the military over the last 35 years. The vision of Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is to ensure that every such child receives all necessary college funding.