Lance Collins
Collins Fund will accelerate Brown Endowment with the selection of a Collins Scholar
To attract talent to the profession, we need to change perceptions of who is a chemical engineer. Lance Collins, AIChE Foundation Trustee and inaugural vice president and executive director of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, is helping to do both of those with a new multi-year gift.
To solve our world’s biggest challenges, we need talent from all backgrounds to pursue chemical engineering. I’m passionate about our next generation and pleased to inspire future innovators via the MAC Scholarship with the selection of a Collins Scholar. — Lance Collins, AIChE Foundation Trustee
Expanding upon his initial gift to close the first phase of fundraising for the Brown Endowment, Lance recently made a new commitment. It both bolsters the endowment and creates a second opportunity annually for one MAC Scholar to be recognized also as a Lance R. Collins Scholar.
Upon selection, the Collins Scholar will receive a $1,000 annual award, attendance at the AIChE Annual Student Conference, along with a travel stipend of up to $500, and enrollment in the Peak Leadership Program.
“To solve our world’s biggest challenges, we need talent from all backgrounds to pursue chemical engineering. I’m passionate about our next generation and pleased to inspire future innovators via the MAC Scholarship with the selection of a Collins Scholar.”
Building upon the vision of MAC’s founders, Henry Brown, Gerald Lessells and James Wei, earlier this year a small group of Trustees launched a micro-campaign to raise $300,000 over the next three years. Lance’s gift will help to support their efforts.
It is imperative to lead by example and advance AIChE’s commitment to equitable, diverse, and inclusive chemical engineering talent. Visit this page to learn more about the Brown Endowment and MAC Scholars.
To offer equal opportunity to all who wish to pursue a chemical engineering career and achieve success, click here.
Chasing the ChE Dream – Donations Support Future Innovators
Nearly three years after the passing of Minority Affairs Community co-founder, Henry Brown, nearly 50% of the 2023 Brown Endowment fundraising goal is achieved. Thanks to a dedicated group of individual donors, AIChE’s commitment to engaging and educating minority engineers will continue into the future.
Revitalizing the Brown Endowment for the Next Generation of MAC Scholars
Minority students pursuing chemical engineering have Henry Brown, Gerry Lessells, and Jimmy Wei to thank for the creation of the Minority Affairs Community. Now Henry's legacy continues as a group of Trustees, past and present, take up the helm to revitalize the Brown Endowment. With 20% of our annual goal of $100,000 secured already, we invite you to join us by gifting inspiration to the next generation and introducing them to the bold possibilities that await one in science and engineering.