Philip May Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Engineering

Joe and Roberta “Bobby” May have endowed a scholarship in memory of their beloved son Philip. They believe in the power of education and enthusiastically support the mission of the College.

Joe grew up on a farm in Rockingham County, Virginia. He admits to “not distinguishing himself academically” in high school. After three years in the Army, including one year of electronics school, he was “conditionally” admitted to Virginia Tech. Joe describes his time at Virginia Tech as one of the turning points in his life. He proved himself academically, earning a B.S. degree in electrical engineering.

In 1977, Joe and his wife Bobby founded Electronic Instrumentation and Technology (EIT). Now a $48 million a year company, EIT has more than 250 employees and conducts business in more than 30 countries. Joe and Bobby continue to work at EIT, where Joe remains chairman and chief technology officer of the company.

Joe also served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1993 to 2014 and was once described as “having more patents than any member of the General Assembly since Thomas Jefferson served there.”

The scholarship will be awarded to students who meet the following criteria:

• Must complete a scholarship application
• A full-time student is preferred, however a part-time student may be considered
• Preference is given to students enrolled in courses leading to an Associate of Science – Engineering Specialization, with the intent to transfer to a 4-year university for further study in engineering. A student enrolled in the Associate of Applied Science – Engineering Technology program may be considered.
• Satisfactory academic progress of a 3.0 GPA must be maintained in the fall semester in order for the recipient to receive the spring semester award.
• Student must have successfully completed with a 3.0 GPA one EGR course (EGR 120, 123, 126 or an EGR elective)
• Answer a short essay question: “Why are you interested in studying engineering?”