Recent Higher Educational Awards

2011-12 Recipients

Virginia

George Mason University Foundation in Fairfax County was awarded $50,000 to purchase an essential teaching tool, a Universal Testing Machine, for the Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering Teaching Laboratory. This equipment will be used in coursework and independent studies, benefitting 7,200 graduate and undergraduate students.

George Washington University in Arlington was awarded $20,000 to develop a new senior-level elective course on the biofuel industry.  The course will be offered in the Bachelor’s Degree Completion program in Integrated Information, Science and Technology beginning in the fall of 2011.

Hampton University was awarded $35,000 to upgrade the energy conversion laboratory by acquiring new equipment and instructional materials for undergraduate students.   High school students will also have access to the laboratory through the Business of Engineering summer program.

John Tyler Community College in Chester was awarded $25,000 to purchase new biology laboratory equipment.  This laboratory renovation will offer a more highly integrated learning experience and also will be used for student-faculty research.

Lord Fairfax Community College Foundation in Middletown was awarded $20,000 for the creation and support of a student environmental sustainability committee that will implement green practices and infrastructure on campus with the intent of inspiring similar efforts throughout the broader community.

Marymount University in Arlington was awarded $20,000 for the construction of an on-campus rain garden. This initiative will offer students a holistic hands-on learning experience to research watershed issues while encouraging civic engagement and serving as a community resource.

Old Dominion University in Norfolk was awarded $40,000 for the installation of a rooftop solar energy system as part of a renewable energy curriculum for engineering students. Real-time data will be available to all university students, the community and area high school teachers for use in their classrooms.

Piedmont Virginia Community College in Charlottesville was awarded $25,000 to create a mobile computer lab equipped with laptop computers and industry specific software for use by engineering and accounting students.  They will have access to the laptops for academic use on or off campus.

Southwest Virginia Community College in Richlands was awarded $40,000 for the “Energy Sustainability Project” to provide students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in the design and construction of an energy efficient, sustainable building as part of the new Living Classroom Program.

Thomas Nelson Community College Educational Foundation in Hampton was awarded $40,000 for the renovation of the existing greenhouse by installing a green roof.  Electronics students will outfit the facility with solar panels, while biology students will plan projects that optimize use of the space’s new capabilities.

University of Virginia in Charlottesville was awarded $35,000 for undergraduate research measuring the environmental and engineering impact of the removal of small dams.  During this project, students will gain experience in field research on river systems and analytical skills related to the impacts of dam removal on communities.

University of Virginia’s College at Wise was awarded $30,000 for development of a River Walk along the Guest River in partnership with the City of Norton. Students will study the environmental impact of the River Walk project and will also develop programs and educational materials on the biodiversity and preservation of the ecosystem.

Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond was awarded $35,000 for a student-led study of the feasibility of using hydrokinetics as an alternative energy source for the historic Rice House adjacent to the James River.  This program is offered through VCU’s da Vinci Center for Innovation.

Virginia Military Institute Foundation in Lexington was awarded $40,000 for the CLEAR (Clean Energy and Air Resources) Program, a collaborative effort with Virginia Tech, that focuses on alternative and sustainable energy research. This interactive learning experience offers students an understanding of both the scientific and societal impact of alternative energy sources.

Virginia State University in Petersburg was awarded $50,000 to expand a digital textbook pilot project aimed at reducing costs and increasing student retention.  This program will equip students in the School of Business with real-time learning assessments, access to educational networking and allow for increased interaction.

Virginia Tech in Blacksburg was awarded $25,000 for its Green Energy and Carbon Management Program, which will include two undergraduate courses, a series of seminars and field trips, as well as a website that will serve as an information portal both for students and the broader community.

Connecticut

The University of Connecticut in Storrs was awarded $45,000 for the installation of oceanic and coastal monitoring equipment for use by undergraduate students. The equipment will be integrated into seven existing core courses for marine sciences and environmental science majors.

New York

Clarkson University in Potsdam was awarded $40,000 to transform the existing campus infrastructure into a functioning living laboratory for student learning in areas such as botany, introduction to energy systems, air pollution control and wastewater treatment.

North Carolina

North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro was awarded $25,000 for the development of new research opportunities for students in power analysis, green energy, local environmental issues, and Electronics Power Technology outreach programs.

Ohio

Baldwin-Wallace College in Cuyahoga County was awarded $20,000 to support the Sustainability Plan Clinic. The clinic trains faculty and student consulting teams to work with local small businesses to improve their “triple bottom line” (people, profit and planet) practices and performances.

Kent State – Tuscarawas in Portage County was awarded $30,000 to develop and implement a Bachelor of Science degree in Green and Alternative Energy to provide comprehensive quality education and training on green and alternative energy at the college level.

Lakeland Community College in Lake County was awarded $30,000 to create a new Applied Associate of Science degree and certificate program in geospatial technology. The grant will provide the necessary hardware and software to support student programs.

Marietta College in Washington County was awarded $25,000 to purchase, install and implement a wind turbine system which will enable students to observe, demonstrate and evaluate the effectiveness of wind as a renewable energy resource in their local community.

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, Inc., in Franklin County was awarded $30,000 to support the Minority Retention Program which aims to improve minority retention and graduation rates at OFIC member colleges and universities.

The University of Akron in Summit County was awarded $25,000 to develop a Corrosion and Reliability Modeling and Simulation Lab where students will learn how to manage corrosion, increase safety and reduce the costs of corrosion effects.

University of Dayton in Montgomery County was awarded $15,000 to launch a new undergraduate concentration in Electrical Energy Systems and develop laboratory facilities to train students to address the growing needs and demand for electricity.

The University of Findlay in Hancock County was awarded $10,000 to develop innovative resource conservation and sustainability measures through behavior modification to reduce their energy consumption and create a net-zero electrical energy home for the everyday American.

Zane State College in Muskingum County was awarded $30,000 to purchase a process control trainer for use in the instrumentation course currently being developed. Students will better understanding operating and maintaining equipment for safe, reliable and accurate measurements in exploration, development and distribution of natural gas.

Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania in Washington County was awarded $30,000 to develop a network of hydrologic instrumentation to improve students’ exposure to real-world data and analysis. Students will conduct a short term evaluation of the water quantity of Pike Run and its associated tributaries.

Westmoreland County Community College Education Foundation was awarded $25,000 to assist with the purchase of a virtual reality welding trainer. This significant piece of equipment will prepare students to meet the demand for employees with advanced welding skills, due to the expansion of the natural gas industry in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in Delaware County was awarded $25,000 to update and modify the existing campus power plant facility to provide an optimal learning experience for both student and faculty, allowing them to work with an efficient, reliable energy source.

West Virginia

Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College in Hardy County was awarded $40,000 to create and establish a multi-faceted college and community program to promote, support and sustain entrepreneurial activities, including E-commerce initiatives, in the colleges’ six-county service district.

Glenville State College Foundation in Gilmer County was awarded $35,000 to prepare and enhance student technological and critical thinking skills in natural resource management. Students will have hands-on experiences through the use of state-of-the-art environmental monitoring and remediation equipment.

West Virginia University in Monongalia County was awarded $25,000 to take the "University to the Public!" WVU STEM Ambassadors will receive training on the operation of the portable STEM lab and instruction on curriculum teaching methods, allowing the mobile classroom to travel to events and schools throughout the state.