the impact of planned gifts

Rice Hall - Information Technology Building

The Olsson Foundation, created by an endowment from Sture G. Olsson (ME ’42), will provide $1 million for advanced technology, collaborative learning spaces in Rice Hall.

The Olsson Foundation funds various fellowships and scholarships throughout the University.

Charles L. Brown Fellowships in
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Roy E. Matthews (EE ’10), a graduate student in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is completing his thesis on nanoscale superconductors insulated with aerojel, the world’s best known thermal insulator for electronic circuitry. He works in the department’s microscale fabrication lab and has the opportunity to collaborate with physicists, as well as chemical, biomedical and mechanical engineers. Matthews is part of a research and development team that produces superconductors used by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Thanks to a fellowship made possible from a planned gift through the estate of Charles L. Brown, Jr., Matthews is able to fully dedicate himself to research and completing his studies.

The Brenton and Lindsay Halsey Family Jefferson Scholarship in Engineering

Active engineering school alumnus Brenton Halsey (ChE’51), an internationally renowned business leader and chemical engineer, made a planned gift to establish a Jefferson Scholarship to support students like current Jefferson Scholar Ian Czekala (Aero’10) who are sought after by the nation’s top universities.

During his time as a student, Czekala, has worked to promote undergraduate research as co-president of the Rodman Scholars program. As a recipient of the Harrison Undergraduate research award, Czekala has seen the necessity of funding undergraduate research. In response to the needs of engineering school students, he has initiated school-wide research grants to support undergraduate engineering design projects. Additionally, he has helped launch the first peer-reviewed academic journal in the Engineering School, The Spectra: The Virginia Engineering and Science Research Journal.

"The Jefferson Scholars program has supported me financially and fostered a community of scholars, enabling me to thrive at the University of Virginia." – Ian Czekala

Charles L. Brown Department of
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Ann Lee Saunders Brown, through the estate of her late husband, Charles L. Brown Jr. (EE ’43), the former president of AT&T and trustee of the Engineering School, endowed the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in his honor. Each year, the gift funds up to four graduate fellowships in the department and provides other program support. Mr. Brown’s estate also endows the Charles L. Brown Science and Engineering Library in Clark Hall.

The Brenton and Lindsay Halsey Family
Jefferson Scholarship in Engineering

Active engineering school alumnus Brenton Halsey (ChE’51), an internationally renowned business leader and chemical engineer, made a planned gift to establish a Jefferson Scholarship to support students like current Jefferson Scholar Chris Belyea (ChE ’10) who are sought after by the nation’s top universities.

Belyea, who is also a Rodman Scholar, has been studying Chemical Engineering and pre-medicine. While serving as the co-President of the Rodman Scholars Program he organized the Engineering the Future spring lecture series and a scholarship program to support undergraduate engineering design projects. He has been involved in research at the University of Virginia Hospital and in the summer of 2008 he received a Harrison Undergraduate Research award for study in Denmark. During the summer of 2009 he conducted biochemical engineering research as a Merck Engineering & Technology Scholar at Merck’s BioVentures research labs. Belyea’s other accomplishments at the Engineering School include leading, as the founder and Editor-in-Chief, a group of fellow undergraduate students in the launch of the peer-reviewed, academic journal, The Spectra: The Virginia Engineering and Science Research Journal.

“The Jefferson Scholars Program has been an amazing part of my experience at U.Va.  The program has helped fostered a truly exceptional and well rounded undergraduate education.” – Chris Belyea

Priscilla D. and Lyle B. Ramsey Rodman Scholarship

Through the estate of his late parents, Rick “Rocket” Ramsey (Applied Math ’76) is establishing the Priscilla D. and Lyle B. Ramsey Rodman Scholarship in their honor. Students like Beth Martin (Aero’10), a current Rodman Scholar, would stand to benefit from the scholarship. As an undergraduate student, Martin collaborates with faculty, graduate students and NASA engineers on hypersonic jet propulsion research in the Aerospace Research Lab on Observatory Hill.

Rodman Scholars such as Martin represent the top five percent of each incoming U.Va. Engineering School class. The honors program’s benefits include priority registration for classes, special Scholar housing with both Rodman and Echols Scholars, and a unique curriculum tailored to their intellectual abilities. This scholarship will be an additional financial benefit to help recruit the world’s most gifted students.

"The Rodman Scholar program provides me with a network of academically-driven students who have become some of my closest friends and colleagues at the University. We share a unique bond that encourages each of us to undertake challenging technical projects and develop into future leaders of innovation in the engineering field." – Beth Martin

If you are interested in discussing a planned gift, please get in touch with Jeff Sands, Associate Dean of Development and Vice President for Development, by calling 434.924.7509 or through email at js8zf@virginia.edu.