Virginia Wesleyan establishes Stihl Incorporated Endowment for Undergraduate Research
John Maravich ’11 is the first recipient of a summer undergraduate research fellowship on environmental sustainability.
Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Va. - John Maravich ’11 from Virginia Beach, Va., is the first recipient of a summer undergraduate research fellowship through Virginia Wesleyan College’s STIHL Incorporated Endowment for Undergraduate Research. His fellowship begins July 6 and lasts through the end of August.
Maravich, a double major in earth and environmental sciences and history, is researching the company’s sustainability position at its Virginia Beach facilities and ways to reduce its carbon footprint.
“Working with STIHL is going to be a positive experience and will help me decide long term what kinds of career goals I want to work toward,” said Maravich, who has previously conducted research on the quality and levels of pollutants in runoff water through Wesleyan’s Green Roof Project.
Special Coordinator of Undergraduate Research Dr. Maynard Schaus, who serves as a faculty mentor for Maravich, said the fellowship “is a great opportunity for Virginia Wesleyan students to pursue real-world solutions to problems.”
The STIHL Incorporated Endowment for Undergraduate Research was established in November 2008. This permanent endowment with the College is designed to provide financial resources for Virginia Wesleyan students to engage in research projects at the STIHL Inc. campus.
“We are extremely pleased to be partnered with Virginia Wesleyan on this project,” said Roger Phelps, promotional communications manager for STIHL Inc. “The company’s position has always been one of socially responsible environmental stewardship in our equipment and our operations, and this program moves us forward in our goals.”
STIHL Inc. is one of several manufacturing facilities in the STIHL Group. STIHL Inc. employs approximately 2,000 people nationwide in a variety of positions from product assembly, manufacturing, engineering, sales and marketing, and finance. STIHL produces a full line of high-quality, handheld outdoor power equipment including the blowers, trimmers, brushcutters, and multi-task tools, as well as the number one selling brand of chain saw worldwide.
The goal of the Virginia Wesleyan College Key to the Future Campaign is to help fund the College’s vision of becoming a Phi Beta Kappa-caliber college. The Campaign is at 81% of its goal at $52.6 million on a goal of $65 million.
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