Virginia Union University September 20, 2013 VUU Professor Receives Grant to Plan Physics Major The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Virginia Union University Physics Professor Dr. Shaheen Islam nearly $100,000 to plan a Physics and Pre-Engineering major at the university. Following the two-year planning grant, Dr. Islam will apply for an implementation grant, which ranges from one to two million dollars. "Physics is actually the foundation of all sciences," said Dr. Islam. "Many more career opportunities will be available to our students as a result of this program." Dr. Islam added that Physics is of particular significance to students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) majors. This is the second major STEM grant awarded Virginia Union in the past year. In October of 2012, NSF awarded $1.75 million to the School of Math, Science, and Technology for the purpose of increasing recruitment, retention, and graduation rates in STEM programs. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.