Joint Initiative with USG Also Aims to Build Awareness of Waste-to-Energy Benefits
(Rockville, MD) – With a new academic year underway, the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) and Covanta, a leader in sustainable waste management and operator of the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility, are proud to jointly announce a new scholarship program that can benefit students who are enrolled in an array of academic programs offered by USG’s nine partner universities.
The Covanta Scholarship is providing annual tuition assistance for qualified students in STEM-related programs, particularly for those in majors that focus on sustainability and the environmental sciences. The funds will help up to 10 students per year, over the next several years.
In recognition of the scholarship and to promote environmental stewardship, USG has installed signage over waste collection stations in its state-of-the-art Biomedical Sciences and Engineering building, highlighting the story of how Covanta handles Montgomery County’s waste. The signage illustrates how municipal solid waste is kept out of landfills by being processed at the Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility, thereby converting waste-to-energy, in the form of renewable power for surrounding businesses and communities.
“The Universities at Shady Grove is pleased to partner with Covanta to help increase the public’s understanding of the waste-to-energy process, as part of an overall environmental protection strategy within our community,” said Dr. Anne M. Khademian, USG’s Executive Director. “We appreciate Covanta’s support of students who are working to launch and build their careers in the various STEM industries, through the scholarship program that they have created at USG.”
“We are thrilled to work together with the Universities at Shady Grove on this important initiative that will help to foster the next generation of STEM leaders,” said Amir Hafzalla, President, Covanta South Region. “These students hold in their hands the key to our sustainable future and through this scholarship program they will have extraordinary access to an education in environmental sciences that will cultivate innovative thought and collaboration.”
[Pictured] From left: Tom Clifford, USG Business Partnerships Director, USG; Frazier Blaylock, Sr. Director, Government Relations, Covanta; Dr. Anne Khademian, USG Executive Director; Tom DeMaio, Asset/Business Manager, Covanta.