Cal U. grant writers reach $1 million mark
Two California University of Pennsylvania professors have been recognized as “Million Dollar Achievers” after receiving at least $1 million in external funding through the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research at California University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Thomas Mueller of the Department of Earth Sciences and Dr. Robert Whyte, chairman of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, join 18 previously recognized Cal U. faculty and staff members who have obtained $1 million or more in grants and/or contracts during their careers at the university.
During fiscal year 2016-17, Cal U. employees collectively received more than $5.4 million in awards to fund service projects, conduct research and support instruction.
More than 57 percent of the awards were from private funding sources, such as foundations or corporations.
The remainder were from federal and state sources or from Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
The largest 2016-17 grant, valued in excess of $2.8 million, provides MOVE structural modeling and analysis software for use in Cal U.’s geology program. Other highlights:
• Two grants with a combined value of more than $668,000 support Cal U.’s participation in the Upward Bound college readiness program for high school students in Fayette County and the Monongahela Valley.
• An award of over $389,000 continues support for a collaboration between Cal U. and Intermediate Unit 1 to provide pre-service teachers, current teachers and other school personnel with professional development in teaching English as a second language.