Tecnocap, the world’s third-largest manufacturer of metal caps and enclosures, has partnered with Wheeling Jesuit University again to award scholarships to two freshman engineering science majors.

This year’s winners, Cale McMurdy of Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, and Donald Meredith, of Wheeling, will receive $23,000 in scholarships over the course of their four years at WJU. McMurdy and Meredith also will be eligible for priority internship placement at Tecnocap’s facility in Glen Dale.

“We’re very happy that Cale and Donald received this opportunity,” said Sean Doyle, vice president of enrollment and marketing. “The Tecnocap Scholarship is a reason why WJU is a very affordable option for students.”

McMurdy chose WJU because of the strong sense of community and the opportunities to combine engineering with a liberal arts core curriculum. McMurdy has family in the Wheeling area, which he said will be comforting.

“The internship opportunities here will give me invaluable work experience and connections in the real world,” said McMurdy, who also is a member of the WJU wrestling team. “I want to be an engineer because I love to apply my creativity to design and innovate things to solve problems that help society.”

Meredith, a graduate of Wheeling Park High School, decided to attend WJU because of the small school size and the staff’s dedicated attention during the application and decision process.

“Through studying engineering, I believe that I can gain knowledge to help create different and unique methods to current and future technology not only to make it easier, but also cost effective and safer,” Meredith said.

Outside the classroom, Meredith plans to participate in intramural sports. He also works at Oglebay, serves as a YoungLife leader and is restoring a 1997 Porsche Boxster.

“Having this opportunity in my hometown made WJU even more appealing,” he said.

WJU is the only institution in the Upper Ohio Valley to offer a four-year degree in engineering.

“Our engineering science degree is somewhat unique and includes several courses in electrical, mechanical and industrial engineering,” said Robert Yahn, assistant professor and chair of engineering and technology sciences. “This blend fits nicely with our local Ohio Valley needs and also allows those students interested in graduate school the opportunity to make a more informed decision about what to study next. Internships are also an integral part of the curriculum and so far each our students have had the opportunity to work at a local Ohio Valley company.”

Caption: Participating in a scholarship presentation to two freshman engineering science majors at Wheeling Jesuit University are, from left, Robert Yahn, assistant professor and chair of engineering and technology sciences; the Rev. Luis Tampe, S.J.; Sean Doyle, vice president of enrollment and marketing; scholarship recipients Cale McMurdy and Donald Meredith; Michael Mihalyo, WJU president; and Paolo Ghigo, TECNOCAP President.