Morgantown native Charles Vest is arguably one of the most decorated graduates of West Virginia University.

Vest, who died in 2013, served as president of the National Academy of Engineering after serving as president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Michigan. A dedicated advocate for research and science and a passionate supporter of diversity and openness, Vest earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from WVU in 1963. He served as a member of the WVU Board of Governors in the final years of his life.

WVU is now part of a prestigious group of institutions that honor his legacy through The Vest Scholarship Program.

“I am delighted that West Virginia University will be part of the prestigious Vest Scholarship Program,” said President Gordon Gee. “The program is a wonderful way to honor the legacy of West Virginia University alumnus and Morgantown native Charles Vest, who was a loyal friend to the great state of West Virginia and a tireless advocate for higher education.”

The program unites graduate-level engineers from across the United Kingdom and beyond with leading engineering institutions in the United States to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Scholars will spend one year at a U.S. engineering school pursuing their research in one or more of the NAE’s Grand Challenges for Engineering, and will have their living, travel and tuition expenses covered by the host institution. Scholars will also be able to take relevant engineering classes to gain credit toward their graduate degrees at their home institutions.

“Dr. Vest made many contributions to engineering, science and education over his 40-plus year career and sought to strengthen national policy in these areas,” said Gene Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. “It is with great pride that his undergraduate alma mater now finds itself a part of this program that bears his name and honors his work at NAE.”

Announced in 2008, the NAE Grand Challenges for Engineering are 14 ways engineering can change the world for the better in the 21st century—from making solar energy economical to providing access to clean water. These challenges, called “game changing” by Vest, constitute a strategic calling for engineers across the world to use their unique strengths and training to make a lasting difference for our global society.

WVU will consider scholarship applications in the areas of developing carbon sequestration methods, providing access to clean water, restoring and improving urban infrastructure and securing cyberspace.

There will be 10 scholarships offered annually by the participating schools. In addition to WVU, participating institutions include Duke University, California Institute of Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Olin College, University of Southern California, University of Washington, MIT, North Carolina State University and University of Minnesota.

Applicants must be currently enrolled and in good standing in an eligible graduate-level engineering or engineering-related program at the time of application and during the scholarship year. Applications are only accepted from students enrolled at non-U.S. institutions that participated in the 2013 NAE/Royal Academy of Engineering/Chinese Academy of Engineering Global Grand Challenges Summit held in London.

Additional details about the Vest Scholarships and application requirements can be found at vestscholars.org.

-WVU-

mcd/07/01/15

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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