In early April, the School of Engineering received a cash endowment of $500,000 for establishment of the GE Advanced Materials Endowed Scholar Program Fund, focusing on African American students. GE Advanced Materials, based in Pittsfield, MA, is a world leader in providing material solutions through engineering thermoplastics, silicon products and technology platforms, and fused quartz and ceramics.

The permanent endowment will support undergraduate scholarships in the departments of Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science & Engineering. The fund will award $4,000 – $5,000 in scholarship monies to two entering freshmen yearly and will continue to support the recipients throughout their four years of study in the School of Engineering, provided academic performance requirements are met. “Materials engineering will play a significant role in the future of the world,” said John Krenicki, president and CEO of GE Advanced Materials. “We’re delighted to be helping worthy African American students to have the opportunity to get an education in engineering and science. Scholarship awardees will also have the opportunity for a summer internship at one of our many locations worldwide.”

Dean of Engineering Amir Faghri enthused, “We are deeply gratified by this outstanding investment in the UConn School of Engineering and its students. In making this generous gift, which will make an excellent engineering education affordable for a selection of superb students each year, GE Advanced Materials is demonstrating its commitment to growing the engineering workforce in the region.”

UConn has been a source of numerous technical and business leaders for GE Advanced Materials over the years.