By Cassie Ferguson

Gazette Staff

The fascination that 5-year-old Bridget Frey felt when she first encountered her family's computer inspired the college career of the Quincy House junior from Coral Springs, Fla., and netted her one of two Microsoft National Women's Technical Scholarships recently awarded to Harvard students.

Becky Weiss, a Lowell House junior from Evanston, Ill., also won the scholarship, which covers a full year's tuition and includes a laptop and stipend.

Dean of Harvard College Harry R. Lewis said the awards not only highlight the students' achievements, but may encourage others aiming for a place in the software industry.

Although typically only one scholarship is given per institution, the two women -- both computer science concentrators -- impressed the Microsoft Scholarship committee enough to garner two of the five annual awards.

Winners were chosen "in recognition of their passion for technology and their potential to make a difference in the software industry."

Microsoft hopes to attract more women and minorities to computer science through its scholarship programs.

"Women are seriously underrepresented in the field of computer science, both at Harvard and nationally," said Lewis, the Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science. "In the entire country, the pool of women with a commitment to computer science and this level of talent level is minuscule."

Weiss, a former teaching fellow for one of Lewis' classes, who recently switched concentrations from mathematics to computer science, said, "I found the applications of technical modes of reasoning to solve tangible problems to be very satisfying."

Frey credits part of her continuing interest in computers to a high school computer science teacher.

Frey said, "However, I think a great many other factors, including technical curiosity and a strong interest in developing new technology, are involved in attracting people to technology careers."