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

Rhea-AI Summary

The UConn School of Engineering has established the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion with a $3 million donation from alumni Mark and Betsy Vergnano. This initiative focuses on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering through scholarships, mentorship, and training. It marks the largest DEI funding in UConn's engineering history. The institute aims to support underrepresented students and prepare them for industry roles, addressing the need for a more diverse engineering workforce in Connecticut, which supplies over 50% of the state's engineering graduates.

Positive

• Establishment of the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion supports diversity in engineering.
• $3 million donation is the largest DEI investment in UConn's engineering history.
• Institute enhances existing diversity programs and career development opportunities for underrepresented students.

Negative

• None.

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.

For more information visit, inclusion.engr.uconn.edu.

About the UConn School of Engineering
The UConn School of Engineering is a powerhouse for research and engineering education in the State of Connecticut and beyond. We are the #1 public engineering school in New England, and we provide 51 percent of the State's engineering graduates. We work with local and national industry to address pressing technological challenges and to strengthen our manufacturing base. We value entrepreneurship and innovation, and our students and faculty actively develop startups and new technologies in support of economic development. Equally important, initiatives in engineering for human rights, brownfields, cybersecurity and other current issues demonstrate our enduring commitment to addressing major challenges facing our society.

About The Chemours Company
The Chemours Company (Chemours or the Company) (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, Advanced Performance Materials, and Chemical Solutions providing its customers with solutions in a wide range of industries with market-defining products, application expertise and chemistry-based innovations. We deliver customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration, and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and consumer electronics, general industrial, mining and oil and gas. Our flagship products include prominent brands such as Ti-Pure™, Opteon™, Freon™, Nafion™, Krytox™, Teflon™, and Viton™. In 2019, Chemours was named to Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies. The company has approximately 6,500 employees and 30 manufacturing sites serving approximately 3,300 customers in approximately 120 countries. Chemours is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC.

For more information, we invite you to visit chemours.com or follow us on Twitter @Chemours or LinkedIn. 

For Media Inquiries Contact:

Eli Freund
860-463-1857
UConn Engineering
eli.freund@uconn.edu

Cassie Olszewski
Media Relations and Financial Communications Manager, Chemours
+1 302 219 7140
media@chemours.com

 

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SOURCE The Chemours Company; The University of Connecticut School of Engineering

FAQ

What is the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion at UConn?

The Vergnano Institute for Inclusion is a new initiative aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering, supported by a $3 million donation.

Who funded the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion?

The institute was funded by a $3 million donation from UConn alumni Mark and Betsy Vergnano.

Why is the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion significant?

It represents the largest DEI investment in the history of UConn's School of Engineering, aimed at supporting underrepresented students.

What is the mission of the Vergnano Institute for Inclusion?

The mission is to increase access to scholarships, mentorship, and professional training for underrepresented students in engineering.

What percentage of Connecticut's engineering graduates come from UConn?

UConn graduates over 50% of Connecticut's new engineering workforce each year.