VHB Launches Scholarship Program for Northeastern CEE Undergraduates
VHB established a $1 million endowed scholarship fund in the name of founders William “Bill” Roache and the late John Kennedy, both Northeastern alumni, to support undergraduate academic excellence in civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern University, continuing a long history of collaboration between the department and the company.
Continuing a long history of collaboration between the Northeastern University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and industry powerhouse VHB, new endowed scholarship funds totaling $1 million have been launched by VHB to support undergraduate academic excellence. The undergraduate scholarships will be awarded annually to four outstanding civil and environmental engineering majors in their third or fourth year of study, as assessed and selected by department faculty.
The scholarships are named in honor of William “Bill” Roache and the late John Kennedy, two of VHB’s 1979 founders and Northeastern alumni. They were long-term friends of the department, responsible for the close collaboration between the firm and Northeastern, having both served on the department’s Industrial Advisory Board (IAB). Kennedy also served as chair of the IAB during a portion of his tenure.
“John had a passion for transportation that was obvious and infectious. He always made time for others—on both a professional and personal level,” said Teaching Professor Dan Dulaski, who sits on the committee that awards the scholarships. “He would be pleased to see that the students selected this year express interest in transportation.”
“Bill is one of the best strategic thinkers in the field,” said Jerry Hajjar, chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. “He was instrumental in the development of our 2018 Strategic Plan, and helped nurture the relationship between our department and VHB over the decades.” Since VHB’s founding, Northeastern has sent over 300 co-ops to VHB, as well as worked together on various research initiatives. “This is how academic-industry partnership should be, and is emblematic of Northeastern’s signature approach to experiential learning and industry collaboration,” said Hajjar.
To celebrate this generous donation, the department hosted an event to recognize the long partnership between the department and VHB, to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Kennedy and Roche to the department and the profession, and to award the first scholarship to deserving students. Speaking at the event, VHB President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board Mike Carragher highlighted the closeness of Northeastern and VHB’s collaboration. “Our mission at VHB is to inspire our people and partner with our clients and communities to build a sustainable future. Our relationship with Northeastern is unique because it flows through all of that. We are so happy to be a part of your growth, this city’s growth, and how both have thrived. We have 110 graduates from Northeastern currently working with us. 41 of our 400 owners are from Northeastern. This relationship has been incredible. Co-ops infuse new energy, ideas, and excitement into our firm.” VHB was involved in the development of several of Northeastern’s newest teaching and research facilities, such as the cutting-edge 234,000 sq. ft. Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC).
At the event, the department announced the first two recipients, undergraduates Thalia Christoforatos and Andrew Kleiner. Christoforatos, who is working towards a BS in civil engineering and computer science, is currently on co-op, splitting her time between transportation-focused research with Northeastern CEE’s iSUPER impact engine program and a position at the Brookline Department of Public Works Engineering and Transportation Division. Kleiner, who is majoring in civil engineering, is the president of Northeastern’s Institute of Transportation Engineers student chapter, as well as an officer in the American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter and a former intern employee at the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
These scholarships provide an outstanding legacy for the deep and impactful partnership between the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and VHB, and the outstanding contributions of two of the founders of VHB, John Kennedy and Bill Roache.