At the American Association of Blacks in Energy scholarship ceremony are, from left: Ketha Richardson, EPB; Melvin Hill Jr., AABE scholarship winner; Ashley Lipford, AABE scholarship winner; Melanie Cross, TVA; Vyrone Cravanas, TVA;, Kevin Nixon, AABE scholarship winner; Larry Buie, AGL Resources; Jacques Irvin, EPB; Michael Jones, EPB; and, Damita Porter, TVA.
TVA joined EPB in sponsoring the 2016 American Association of Blacks in Energy East Tennessee Chapter scholarship ceremony on June 16, providing four $1,500 scholarships to high-achieving students in need of financial assistance who major in engineering or physics.
“Receiving this scholarship helps ease the financial burden, so I can focus my time and energy on academics,” said Kevin Nixon, one of the scholarship recipients. Mr. Nixon is pursuing a degree in chemical engineering at Auburn University and is vice president of the National Society of Engineers.
This is the second year TVA has provided scholarships for deserving students through the AABE, which is a national association of energy professionals.
The organization is dedicated to ensuring the input of African-Americans and other minorities into the discussions and developments of energy policy regulations, research and development technologies and diversified supply.
“The scholarship program is an excellent opportunity for TVA to support the next generation of energy professionals,” says TVA Senior Manager of Nuclear Sourcing and President of the AABE East Tennessee Chapter Melanie Cross. “It is also a way for TVA to promote interest in the energy field from bright, diverse young minds.”
Melvin Hill, Jr., a second scholarship recipient, was encouraged to apply for the scholarship by his professor. “I’ve always been interested in power generation, and found out about the scholarship through an academic excellence program,” said Mr. Hill who is pursuing a dual degree in civil engineering and applied physics at Auburn University.
Ashley Lipford, who is majoring in mechanical engineering and serves as president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, also was presented with a scholarship during the ceremony.
Jason Mtsimbe is the fourth 2016 scholarship recipient. Mr. Mtsimbe, an international student from Tanzania, Africa, is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.