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Thanks to a generous gift made by alumnus Stu Hodgson '67 (pictured above), the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has recently established the First Year Graduate Student Research Fund. (expand article)

Thanks to a generous gift made by alumnus Stu Hodgson '67 (pictured above), the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has recently established the First Year Graduate Student Research Fund."

"In their first year of study, graduate students must take a heavy load of academic courses and prepare for qualifying exams," says Konstantinos Konstantopoulos, professor and department chair. "As a result, they have limited time and cannot contribute as significantly to faculty research as they will later on. The establishment of the First Year Graduate Research Fund will help alleviate some pressure that is placed on students and faculty during this critical first year of study."

It's a time when students are getting their academics finished," says Jeff Gray, an assistant professor in the department. "They are not yet delving into research, which is when they begin to publish papers and earn support by federal research grants."

With the First Year Graduate Student Research Fund in place, students will be able to focus fully on research once their classes and graduate board exams are finished. This is particularly critical for the young professors who are still establishing their sources of research funding and particularly important in the current research funding climate. The fund aims to provide stipends and cover tuition costs.

With a narrower focus than most traditional funds, this program has a clear impact leveraging gifts at all levels. While relatively small compared to more traditional endowed funds, this program is extremely focused, with a clear and immediate impact and where gifts at all levels will make a difference.
Hodgson, who graduated from the department in 1967 and is a visiting committee member, would like to see other alumni join him in his effort. "I have serious aspirations for the Whiting School and the ChemBE department in particular. I think this is one way we can help them achieve their goals."

Whiting School alumni and friends are encouraged to make a donation to support this newly established, and much needed, First Year Graduate Student Research Fund. The department has a goal to see at least two thirds of its alumni, or 1,200 alums, join Hodgson in supporting the fund. "I personally would like to see every alum become involved," said Hodgson. "I do believe it is of critical importance to the success of the department." (collapse article)