TTU Launches New Scholarship For Incoming Female Engineers

Tennessee Tech rolling out a new scholarship program next fall to help women who want to enter the engineering field.

The Harper Scholars Program named after Trustee Chair and Adjunct Professor Trudy Harper. Chief Communication Officer Karen Lykins said the program serves as a way to encourage women to enter a non-traditional field.

“This comes out of her passion for her university, her alma mater and also a place where she teaches,” Lykins said. “Trudy is in the classroom every week during the semester, and she sees the needs of students.”

Incoming freshmen must have a 3.75 high school GPA and 27 ACT composite score. The scholarship may be renewed for up to eight semesters. Lykins said the scholarship will cover all university costs after other financial aid is considered.

Currently, Tech has about 2,600 engineering students. About 400 identify as female. Lykins said the university wants to create a culture where students can explore any career field they want.

Lykins said recipients will become, “Harper Scholars,” gaining an opportunity to meet with Harper scholarship founders each semester.