The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation presented a $10,000 grant to the University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing to support National Engineers Week (E-Week). The foundation is the charitable arm of Dominion Energy, one of the nation’s leading operators of solar energy.

E-Week, celebrated each February, is a national family-oriented event dedicated to ensuring a diverse future for the engineering workforce by increasing interest in engineering and technology careers. During E-Week at the university, more than 700 elementary, middle and high school students learn about the fields of engineering and computing and participate in hands-on experiments.

We’re grateful for the support of Dominion Energy for E-Week and beyond. Their support provides opportunities to expand the K-12 STEM education that our basic budget doesn’t allow and helps us further fulfill our mission to educate the citizens of South Carolina beyond the walls of our university.”

- Joseph Neary, senior director of development at the College of Engineering and Computing

The free, week-long event features dozens of interactive exhibits that connect with the university’s academic programs and research including fuel cell demonstrations, electric and hybrid vehicles, robots, computer games, energy and more.

“Dominion Energy is proud to partner with USC’s College of Engineering and Computing to get South Carolina’s students excited about STEM careers and to show them how these growing fields can open doors for their futures,” says Wayne Vermullen, Dominion Energy Carolina Gas director of gas operations and College of Engineering and Computing Alumni Association board member.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the engineering field is expected to grow as much as 10 percent in the coming decade. In South Carolina, the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries likely will be in high demand for graduates over the same period. Experts say demand for engineers will continue to grow as governments and industries work to meet the challenges of a growing global population.

“We are excited to invest in the next generation of engineers and computer scientists,” says Jamie Barton, Dominion Energy engineer and College of Engineering and Computing Young Alumni Association board member. “These students will innovate, create, solve problems and ultimately make our world a better place through the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation and by committing time and energy to participate in E-Week.”

“We’re grateful for the support of Dominion Energy for E-Week and beyond,” says Joseph Neary, senior director of development at the College of Engineering and Computing. “Their support provides opportunities to expand the K-12 STEM education that our basic budget doesn’t allow and helps us further fulfill our mission to educate the citizens of South Carolina beyond the walls of our university.”