Student Scholarships

The UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) is honored to preserve the memory and work of its students whose lives have been cut short. Scholarships have been established in the memory of three such exceptional students — Christina McCall, Sean Fahey, and Brent Vincent Gorky — in order to empower current UVM students to excel and succeed.

Contribute

Online

To contribute online, visit UVM's Give Online and enter the scholarship name — Christina McCall Scholarship, Sean O'Flaherty Fahey Commemorative Award, or Brett Vincent Gorky Award — under "Other."

By Phone

To make a gift by phone, call toll-free at 888-458-8691.

By Mail

To make a gift by mail, send your check or money order to:

UVM Development Office
411 Main St.
Burlington, VT 05401

Our Students

The Christina McCall Scholarship

Those who knew UVM student Christina McCall witnessed a life of focus, dedication, clarity and determination. That was how she lived her life — one day at a time — setting goals then doing the tasks necessary to achieve them. She also knew how she wanted to be remembered.

Christina's life was about service, commitment, and helping others both near and far. She supported and encouraged two children, one in Peru and one in India. She also worked as a substance abuse counselor, volunteered in the Women's Center, and served as a counselor for high school students in the UVM/GIV Engineering Institute, assisting them in finding their own life paths in technology careers.

Christie fought against incredible odds to win her degree in mathematics before her death in 2007. Christina's advice: "It's important to do the things you love — get involved and don't let dark clouds stop you."

Sean O'Flaherty Fahey Commemorative Award

Sean O'Flaherty Fahey earned three degrees in mechanical engineering — a bachelor's degree (1994) and a master's degree (1996), both from UVM, and a doctorate in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech — and was working on a master's degree in business and studying Gaelic in honor of his Irish heritage. When asked if he had time to discuss something, Sean would say, "For you, I have all day."

Sean worked for CSA Engineering in Mountain View, California when he died in January 2006 in a surfing accident off Ocean Beach in San Francisco.

This award was established in the hope that outstanding engineering students would grow into engineers who embrace career and life in the spirit of Sean.

Brett Vincent Gorky Award

Brett Vincent Gorky had an unassuming nature and was very creative. When he was nine years old, he asked his parents to suspend his train set from the walls so it could encircle his room. When told it was too large a project, he asked, "If I can figure out a way to do it myself, will you let me?" He then used Popsicle sticks and created thirty feet of trestle, suspending his HO Trains from the ceiling using cup hooks and string.

In his college application essay Brett stated, "The one thing that sets me apart from others is that I will not stop until I am satisfied with the finished project."

Brett died in 2005 just before he was able to start at UVM. The members of the Gorky family hope this award helps nurture other students in achieving their dreams.