NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS
  • HOME
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • INVEST
  • MARKET
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • INNOVATION
  • PEOPLE
  • INSIGHTS
No Result
View All Result
NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS
  • HOME
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • INVEST
  • MARKET
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • INNOVATION
  • PEOPLE
  • INSIGHTS
No Result
View All Result
NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS
No Result
View All Result
Home ALL Chemical

UConn School of Engineering Unveils the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion, Supported by UConn Alumni Mark and Betsy Vergnano’s $3M Donation

by Ed Johnson
June 17, 2021
A A
The University of Connecticut School of Engineering

The University of Connecticut School of Engineering

The gift represents the largest Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion investment in UConn School of Engineering history and is one of the largest single DEI investments in UConn.

STORRS, Conn., June 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The UConn School of Engineering today announced the creation of the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion, an endowed Institute funded by a generous gift from two UConn alumni, that will drive increased diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the engineering field by providing underrepresented students with access to scholarships, coaching and mentorship opportunities, training, and other critical career development resources within the School. This gift represents the largest DEI investment in the history of the UConn School of Engineering and is one of the largest single DEI investments in UConn.

Funding for the Institute will be kickstarted by a $3 million gift from Mark and Betsy (Reddington) Vergnano, alumni of the UConn School of Engineering and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, respectively. Mark, who was inducted into UConn’s Academy of Distinguished Engineers in 2005, serves as CEO of The Chemours Company, a global chemistry company with leading market positions in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, Advanced Performance Materials, and Chemical Solutions.

The Vergnano Institute for Inclusion builds upon the School’s 30-year legacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion and will enhance several signature diversity programs, such as the school’s five-week intensive residential BRIDGE Program, which serves underrepresented incoming freshmen engineering students – both minorities and women.

“It is an incredible honor for Betsy and me to be a part of, and build upon, a storied and impactful program that is focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through our alma mater,” said Mark Vergnano. “The Vergnano Institute for Inclusion will provide crucial support for Scholars that opens doors, shifts industry paradigms and creates a competitive workforce of diverse talent within engineering.”

“This is a crucial moment in UConn’s history—a chance to further invest in growing our diverse student body, while offering key resources to our current students,” said Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, Interim UConn President and CEO of UConn Health. “Our School of Engineering graduates over 50 percent of Connecticut’s new engineering workforce each year, and this new Institute will ensure that those new engineers will truly reflect the changing face of America’s industries.”

“The School of Engineering serves as an economic engine to the state—offering world-class students to the workforce and cutting-edge research to our industrial partners. But a more diverse engineering workforce is sorely needed, and the Vergnanos’ gift will allow some of the state’s largest companies to innovate and thrive,” said Kazem Kazerounian, Dean of UConn Engineering.

The Vergnanos have long been committed to making a college education affordable to students, and Mark’s passion for promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the chemical industry has carried over to Chemours. Since its founding, Chemours has taken bold actions to drive diversity, increase access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professions for more populations, and identify top talent from underrepresented communities. The company launched the Future of Chemistry Scholarship (FOCS) program in 2017 and was a lead partner for the subsequent Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), an industry-wide partnership providing scholarships, internships, and mentorship to students pursuing a STEM education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), where Mark serves as the founding chair.

Kevin McLaughlin has been named Director of the new Vergnano Institute, having previously served as the Director of the school’s former Engineering Diversity and Outreach Center. Stephany Santos will serve as Associate Director.

Tags: < Market
ShareTweetShareSend

Related Industries

Chemical

BASF breaks ground on MDI capacity expansion project at Geismar site

January 12, 2023
Dow named one of America’s most JUST Companies for the fourth year by JUST Capital
Chemical

Dow named one of America’s most JUST Companies for the fourth year by JUST Capital

January 11, 2023
Chemical

Celanese Recognized By Newsweek as one of America’s Most Responsible Companies

December 20, 2022
Chemical

3M’s school zone safety transformations making progress toward pedestrian visibility and road safety

December 16, 2022
Chemical

The Science of Speed: Dow and USA Luge renew long-standing partnership

December 15, 2022
Chemical

Dow further commits to automotive innovation with launch of selective adhesion liquid silicone rubber series

December 9, 2022
Dow named one of America’s most JUST Companies for the fourth year by JUST Capital

Dow named one of America’s most JUST Companies for the fourth year by JUST Capital

January 11, 2023

...

NTT DATA, Valeo and Embotech Form Consortium to Provide Automated Parking Solutions

January 5, 2023

...

chevron names mark a. nelson vice chairman

January 27, 2023

...

Mark Parker To Be Named Chairman Of The Walt Disney Company

January 12, 2023

...

Hilton Unveils New Brand, Spark by Hilton, a Value‑Driven Offering That Proudly Delivers Reliable Essentials and Friendly Service

January 12, 2023

...

chevron finalizes acquisition of beyond6 CNG fueling network

January 4, 2023

...

Microsoft and Viasat announce new partnership to deliver internet access to underserved communities globally

January 15, 2023

...

IHG Hotels & Resorts’ voco hotels Enters 2023 with Strong Growth Momentum

January 19, 2023

...

Medtronic recommends rejection of below-market mini-tender offer by TRC Capital Investment Corporation

January 26, 2023

...

NORTH AMERICAN BUSINESS (www.na-biz.com) is a leading source of business and corporate news, information, industry trends, market updates and insights across a broad spectrum of industries in North America and worldwide.

INDUSTRIES

  • Aero
  • Agriculture
  • ALL
  • Automotive
  • Business Service
  • Chemical
  • Construction
  • Construction Materials
  • Consumer
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Entertainment
  • Environmental
  • F&B
  • Financial
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Industrial
  • IT
  • IT Hardware
  • Logistic
  • Metal & Mining
  • Packaging & Paper
  • Rail
  • Real Estate
  • Telecom

CONTACT US

EDITORIAL:     editor#na-biz.com

PARTNERSHIP:     biz#na-biz.com

HUMAN RESOURCE:     hr#na-biz.com

* (replace # with @)

  • Official Site

Copyright © NA-BIZ.COM All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • INVEST
  • MARKET
  • PARTNERSHIP
  • INNOVATION
  • PEOPLE
  • INSIGHTS

Copyright © NA-BIZ.COM All rights reserved.