Undergraduate Student Scholarships

The following scholarships are given to undergraduate majors in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics:

Advisory Board Scholarship

Undergraduate recipients of this scholarship are selected on the basis of academic achievement, personal character, leadership qualities, and community service.

Undergraduate recipients of this scholarship are selected on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence, dedication to the broad pursuit of personal improvement, and interest in the general areas of mechanics/materials. Professor Ken Reifsnider was a recognized authority on heterogeneous materials design, and energy conversion and storage. He served on the VT faculty in Engineering Science & Mechanics from 1948 to 1992

Undergraduate recipients of this scholarship are selected based on academic achievement, personal character, leadership qualities, and community service. Professor William Smith was a Virginia Tech alumnus, receiving his BS in Civil Engineering (1947) and a graduate degree in Applied Mechanics (1950).  He was an expert in fracture mechanics and photoelasticity, and an outstanding educator.  He served on the VT faculty in Engineering Science & Mechanics as well as administrative roles from 1984 to 2002.

Frank J Maher Scholarship

Professor Maher was a Virginia Tech alumnus, receiving his MS in Civil Engineering (1937).  He specialized in aerodynamic research and taught Applied Mechanics and Engineering Science and Mechanics from 1937-1978.

Undergraduate recipients of this scholarship are selected based on academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, good moral character, and satisfactory progress toward their degree.  Professor Dan Pletta was an expert in design, construction and stress analysis.  He was professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Virginia Tech from 1932-1972 and department head from 1958-1970.

Undergraduate recipients of this scholarship are selected on the basis of academic achievement, personal character, and leadership qualities.  Professor Heller was faculty in Engineering Science & Mechanics from 1967-1996. He wrote books, produced educational films and television tapes, and taught and developed new courses. 

Undergraduate recipients of this scholarship are selected on the basis of character, academic excellence, ambition, and need.  Professor O'Shaughnessy was a Virginia Tech alumnus, receiving his degree in 1903. He taught at Virginia Tech from 1918 to 1954, and also served as the first head of applied mechanics, acting dean of engineering, and director of graduate studies. Virginia Tech's O'Shaughnessy Residence Hall is named in his honor.

John E. Lee, M.D., Scholarship

This scholarship was initiated by Dr. Lee to support a BEAM junior or senior, with preference given to those participating in a cooperative education (co-op) program.  Recipients may receive the award for no more than two years.  Dr. Lee is a Virginia Tech alumnus, receiving his BS in Engineering Science & Mechanics (1968), MS in Engineering Mechanics (1971) after which he pursued medical school.  He practiced medicine in OB/GYN in Chesapeake VA.