News Story

ASHRAE National Capital Chapter Establishes Scholarship Fund in Mechanical Engineering

Alumnus Dunstan Macauley '02, (second from the right), presents the check in support of the ASHRAE Scholarship Fund to Dean Darryll Pines, Farvardin Professor & Dean (second from the left), with Professors Michael Ohadi (left), and B. Balachandran, Minta Martin Professor & Chair of Mechanical Engineering (right).

The ASHRAE National Capital Chapter established one graduate and one undergraduate scholarship for students studying engineering or sciences, with an active interest in the field of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning and supportive fields.  Students must also be active members of ASHRAE and must be in good academic standing. Students are nominated for these scholarships by the ASHRAE Student Chapter Faculty Advisor.

Dunstan Macauley '02, mechanical engineering alumnus, and Past President of ASHRAE National Capital Chapter, presented the check on behalf of ASHRAE to Dr. Darryll Pines, Nariman Farvardin Chair and Dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering, Dr. Bala Balachandran, Minta Martin Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Dr. Michael Ohadi Professor and Co-Founder of CEEE establishing the scholarship fund.  “Improving energy efficiency in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration is vital in addressing future energy needs.  Supporting students who are interested in this area is key to the development of new technology," said Macauley.  He was particularly happy to establish this scholarship fund at his alma mater.  “I appreciate the excellent teaching and faculty support the Department of Mechanical Engineering offered me while I was a student.  It is important for alumni to give back to the University."

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a building technology society with more than 50,000 members worldwide. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today.

The National Capital Chapter of ASHRAE began operating in 1959 after the merger of the Washington D.C. chapter of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE) and the National Capital Section of the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE). The Chapter has more than 1,000 members and is one of the largest chapters in ASHRAE.

The ASHRAE student chapter will sponsor a special presentation by Mr. Tom Watson, President of ASHRAE on Monday, February 25 at noon in the DeWalt Seminar Room.  Students interested in learning more about the student ASHRAE chapter or to RSVP for the event may contact Sahil Popli at spopli@umd.edu .

January 8, 2013