Jan. 17, 2012

UNC Charlotte’s Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) has awarded the first Siemens Energy Scholarships to two undergraduates in The William States Lee College of Engineering. The $7,500 scholarships will go to Electrical Engineering major Walter Bomela and Mechanical Engineering major Stephen O’Flynn O’Brien.

The scholarships are funded by a portion of a $4.3-million gift that Siemens made to EPIC in January 2011. The gift is also being used to fund laboratory equipment for energy research, make available advance machinery for large-scale parts manufacturing, and support a visiting scholars program.

“Siemens Energy is committed to advancing energy production systems,” said Mark Pringle, vice president for Siemens Energy’s Charlotte generator and turbine manufacturing operation. “A key part of this commitment is developing the engineering talent needed. We’re honored to be able to provide these scholarships to support such outstanding students in getting their education.”

A senior from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bomela is majoring in electrical engineering with particular interest in controls and power systems. He plans a career in the power industry with the hope of contributing to the improvement of renewable energy production systems.

A junior at UNC Charlotte, O’Brien is majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in energy. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, he is considering attending graduate school and a career with the U.S. Navy’s nuclear program.

“These students have already shown outstanding achievement in their college education,” said Dr. Johan Enslin, director of EPIC. “They are admirable choices to be the first two recipients of the Siemens Energy Scholarships.”

About Siemens Energy:

The Siemens Energy Sector is the world's leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for power generation in thermal power plants and using renewables, power transmission in grids and for the extraction, processing and transport of oil and gas.

About EPIC:

The Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) at UNC Charlotte is a collaborative industry/education effort to produce the nation’s most qualified energy engineering workforce and be a partner in technology research for the global energy industry. This cross-discipline initiative in The William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte includes mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, civil and environmental engineering, systems engineering, and engineering technology.