In 2003, the approximately two dozen Old Dominion alumni employed by Clark-Nexsen Architecture & Engineering pledged $130,000 over a five-year period to establish the Clark-Nexsen Dominion Scholarship at their alma mater. The fund-raising effort, led by Ken Stepka ’74, CEO and executive vice president, consists of employee contributions and a matching gift from the company.

The Clark-Nexsen campaign was so successful, in fact, that ODU’s Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology steering committee is now using it as a model for capital campaign fund raising at other engineering-related organizations in Hampton Roads that have a high concentration of alumni among their employees.

Stepka, who prefers not to “arm twist” employees, instead favors an approach that simply encourages them to participate in a worthy cause for themselves, their organization and future students at their alma mater. He also suggests that employees take part in company-sponsored activities on campus, such as attending basketball games, to get reconnected with the university.
Since the Clark-Nexsen model was developed, other alumni-led companies have either established engineering scholarships or are running an alumni-based scholarship campaign.

In September 2004, Stroud, Pence and Associates, led by Roger Stroud ’74, president and structural engineer, and Ed Pence ’78, senior vice president, established a $25,000 endowed civil engineering scholarship (with a concentration in structural engineering) in memory of Ben Walker, a former employee who recently died. The company plans to host an annual golf tournament in Williamsburg to raise additional funds for the scholarship.

Hankins and Anderson Inc., led by Michael Matthews ’82, president, in November established a $50,000 annual electrical engineering scholarship fund which also provides for a paid summer intern position for a junior or senior.

BBG Inc., headed by Jimmy Black ’80, president and senior engineer, and Joe Gander ’83, vice president and senior engineer, recently established a $25,000 endowed electrical and computer engineering scholarship, which also provides for a paid cooperative education position for a graduate or undergraduate student.

The 100-plus ODU alumni at Norfolk Naval Shipyard also recently launched a scholarship campaign. The fund drive is being led by a committee of alumni employed by the shipyard and two members of the class of 1969 who recently retired, Errol Lewis and Ed Shelton. They are making progress toward their goal of $25,000.

In February, the more than 70 ODU alumni at Norfolk Southern Corp., launched a campaign with the goal of raising $150,000 to establish an endowed scholarship in engineering or business. Heading the campaign are Robin Pearson ’83 (M.B.A. ’96), senior relations officer; Donna Fisher ’74 (M.B.A. ’78), director of marketing; Paul Green (M.B.A. ’97), manager for strategic planning; and Laura Hoag (M.S. ’00), labor relations officer.

In addition, several other area organizations are considering scholarship campaigns. They include Northrop Grumman Newport News, which employs 700 alumni, and NASA Langley Research Center, with approximately 300 former students.

During National Engineering Week in February, the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology celebrated the success of the area scholarship campaigns by recognizing alumni donors and their organizations.

“These scholarship partnerships with ODU alumni employed by area companies and government organizations will help ensure that the university continues to develop future leaders, who will in turn one day give back to their community,” said Dean Oktay Baysal. “What better way to show community support and plant the seeds of growth for the future.”

For more information about alumni-based corporate scholarship campaigns, contact J.C. Brinker ’80, development officer for the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, at 757-683-4249 or jbrinker@hotmail.com.