University Times

The Department of Bioengineering has received the Robert O. Agbede Award for Diversity, which recognizes significant contributions enhancing and supporting diversity in Pitt’s School of Engineering. The award includes a $3,500 grant to continue diversity activities.

The department is being recognized for its efforts to recruit from the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The program provides college scholarships to African-American students in math, science, computer science and engineering. Harvey Borovetz, chair of Pitt’s Department of Bioengineering, and Sylvanus Nwosu, assistant dean for diversity, women and minority affairs at Pitt’s School of Engineering, annually visit the University of Maryland to recruit Meyerhoff Scholars Program graduates.

The Department of Industrial Engineering also received an honorable mention and a $500 grant that recognizes Andrew Schaefer, professor of industrial engineering, for his outreach effort with Schenley High School. Schaefer works with teachers to introduce students to operations research and industrial engineering.

The award was established in honor of Robert Agbede, president and CEO of Advanced Technology Systems and Pitt engineering alumnus, who made a gift to the school in 2002 to support diversity programs.