Two engineering graduates of WVU have pledged $100,000 over five years to the University's College of Engineering and Mineral Resources for merit-based scholarships for students.

The gift will be submitted for matching funds through the West Virginia Research Trust Fund (RTF), established by the state Legislature to support research and economic development, which would bring the total gift to $200,000.

Dean and Gina Dubbé established the Everette C. Dubbé Research Scholarship in honor of Dean's late father, known as "Bud" to family and friends, who taught electrical engineering to three generations of WVU students over 34 years.

The Dubbés also made the gift to express their enthusiasm at the appointment of James P. Clements as WVU's 23rd president. Clements, whose academic and teaching background is in computer engineering and information sciences, assumed his new post June 30.

The gift will provide merit-based scholarships for students engaged in research in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources who also show financial need.

Dean Dubbé, a native of Morgantown, attended Morgantown High School and received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's degree in geotechnical engineering from WVU in 1982 and 1983, respectively. He is the founder of Site Consulting Services, LLC, a land development and management firm.

Prior to starting his own company, he was senior vice president of land development for Michael T. Rose Co., a prominent builder and developer in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. He is a licensed professional engineer in Maryland and Virginia.

He played centerfield for the Mountaineer baseball team while an undergraduate, with current baseball coach Greg Van Zant. He was selected to the East Coast Athletic Conference all-tournament team in 1981.

Gina LeDonne Dubbé grew up in Fairmont and earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from WVU in 1983 and a master's degree in engineering from George Washington University in 1985. She is a managing partner with Walker Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on technology companies.

Prior to the founding of Walker Ventures, she held several key sales and engineering management positions with Oracle Corp. and Trusted Information Systems, among others. She is on the board of Augusta Systems of Morgantown and is also a licensed professional engineer.
The couple lives in Glenelg, Md., and knew WVU's new president through their children, who attend the same school.

"In making this gift," said Dean Dubbé, "Gina and I want to honor my father's longtime commitment to education, along with his generosity, optimism and kindness. We also wanted to express our gratitude for the excellent foundation we received at WVU, and demonstrate our enthusiasm and confidence in the future of the University under the leadership of President Clements."

Gina Dubbé added: "Dean and I met in engineering school and were both inspired by his father's dedication to his students. There was no better way to honor him than through scholarship support for students."

While President-elect, Dr. Clements met with alumni and friends of WVU in West Virginia, Maryland and elsewhere and found their excitement and passion "amazing."  

"Dean and Gina represent what WVU alumni are all about – not only are they committing  resources to help us be successful, but they are so proud of the education they received here and are excited about what's going on at their University."

Gene Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, added: "Dean and Gina Dubbé represent the best and brightest of our graduates, and we are extremely grateful to them for their generosity and giving back through this endowment. This gift will support the education of future generations of engineering students at WVU."

Wayne King, WVU Foundation president and CEO, said, "We truly appreciate the Dubbes' support of WVU and their interest in advancing the University's research mission through establishment of this endowed scholarship. We also thank President Clements for his assistance in securing this generous gift."

Clements thanked the governor and lawmakers for their "vision and continuing support" of the Research Trust Fund, and said WVU will continue to focus gifts and matching funds on areas that are important to the state's and nation's future - energy and environmental sciences; nanotechnology and materials science; biological, biotechnological and biomedical sciences; biometrics, security, sensing and related information technologies.