WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Yesterday evening, WGL Holdings, Inc. (WGL) announced its support of George Mason University’s Volgenau School of Engineering through the establishment of a scholarship fund totaling $25,000 to fund scholarships that will offset students’ tuition costs by providing $5,000 per year over a 5-year period. The company’s donation will support students enrolled in the Dual Admission Compact established between Mason and Northern Virginia Community College.
“At WGL, we recognize the need for strong and diverse talent to support evolving industries in our area, including energy. Investment in STEM programs is critical to the development of that talent,” said Adrian Chapman, President and Chief Operating Officer of WGL and Washington Gas Light Company. “By partnering with George Mason University and its Volgenau School of Engineering, more students will have the resources to pursue careers across industries and drive economic development in our communities.”
During the event, WGL announced additional contributions toward academic enrichment among engineering students, separate from the scholarship donation. The company will fund five students’ exam fees for the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, the first step in becoming licensed as a professional engineer, and it will establish a mentorship program between WGL volunteers and freshman- through senior-year students.
“WGL’s support for our Dual Admission Compact will have an impact on engineering students for years to come,” said Kenneth Ball, Dean of the Volgenau School of Engineering. “Their generous gift promotes necessary access to education for a more diverse student population, including first generation college students, underrepresented minorities, women and military veterans in the local community and beyond.”
The Dual Admission Compact is an initiative led by Mason’s mechanical engineering department, in partnership with Northern Virginia Community College, to outline a path for students to transition from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the Volgenau School of Engineering in a convenient and affordable way. The program’s desire to establish a more diverse student population aligns with WGL’s value of diversity in its leadership, employees and surrounding community.
For more information on WGL and its companies, visit wgl.com. For more information on engineering programs at George Mason’s Volgenau School of Engineering, visit volgenau.gmu.edu.
About WGL
WGL Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: WGL), headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a leading source for clean, efficient and diverse energy solutions. With activities and assets across the U.S., WGL consists of Washington Gas, WGL Energy, WGL Midstream and Hampshire Gas. WGL provides options for natural gas, electricity, green power and energy services, including generation, storage, transportation, distribution, supply and efficiency. Our calling as a company is to make energy surprisingly easy for our employees, our community and all our customers. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, small business or multinational corporation, state and local or federal agency, WGL is here to provide Energy Answers. Ask Us. For more information, visit us at wgl.com.
About the Volgenau School of Engineering at George Mason University
Established in 1985, the Volgenau School of Engineering was the first engineering school in the United States to focus its scholarship primarily on information technology-based engineering as opposed to the traditional, physical, and material-based engineering approach. It was also the first school to offer a doctoral degree in information technology and remains the Commonwealth of Virginia's only school of engineering with its main campus in the National Capital Region. The Volgenau School of Engineering prepares students to be competitive in their field and achieve academic and career excellence in high-demand positions.
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