An alumnus of the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at West Virginia University and his wife have endowed a scholarship to support undergraduates studying in his home department.
F. Gail Gray and his wife, Caryl, have donated $26,000 to fund the Caryl and Gail Gray Scholarship. First preference will be given to West Virginia residents with demonstrated financial need.
“Our motivation for the gift was to provide the same opportunities to future students that were provided to me when I was an undergraduate,” Gray said. “I was able to attend WVU only because I received scholarship aid as an undergraduate. In addition to the Presidential Scholarship, I received additional aid to help pay for lodging, food and books each year from different sources. It is my hope that this scholarship will provide such additional aid to future students who might not be able to stay in school with just a tuition scholarship.”
Gray earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from WVU in 1965 and 1967, respectively. After completing his doctorate at the University of Michigan in 1971, he went on to an illustrious career, serving as a member of the faculty at the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech. He retired as professor emeritus after 32 years of service.
Caryl is also a graduate of WVU, earning her bachelor’s degree in human resources in 1968. She served as science and technology librarian of Virginia Tech’s University Libraries, retiring as assistant professor emerita in 2009. She earned her master’s degree at the University of Michigan.
“Gail and Caryl Gray are natives of West Virginia who went on to professional success, in part, because of their experiences at WVU,” said Brian Woerner, chair of the Lane Department. “Their generosity will help provide opportunities for future generations of students in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. We greatly appreciate this lasting legacy.”
The gift was made in conjunction with A State of Minds: The Campaign for West Virginia’s University. The $750 million comprehensive campaign being conducted by the WVU Foundation on behalf of the University runs through December 2015.
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CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College
304-293-4086; mary.dillon@mail.wvu.edu