STONY BROOK, NY, August 8, 2008 – The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Stony Brook University has received a $50,000 gift commitment from The Omnicon Group, Inc, announced Dr. Yacov Shamash, Vice President for Economic Development and Dean of CEAS. The gift will fund a new scholarship that will benefit CEAS undergraduate students.
The Omnicon Group Scholarship significantly contributes to the fulfillment of the “Emergence of Stony Brook,” the University’s seven-year, $300-million capital campaign; the first in the University’s history.
Scott Abrams, Omnicon president and Stony Brook University alumnus (class of ’80), says he expects the scholarship fund to assist students in achieving their academic and career goals as the College expands its impact in educating the next generation of engineers and applied scientists.
“I’m very interested in supporting a CEAS scholarship program to attract and retain the most talented undergraduate students and prepare them for the workforce,” says Abrams. “Omnicon has had a wonderful experience in mentoring young engineers through a vibrant internship partnership established with the College. Now it’s time to go the extra mile, by supporting students earlier in the process through scholarships.”
The Omnicon Group is a comprehensive engineering services firm based in Hauppauge, N.Y. founded by Scott Abrams in 1984. It is one of the nation’s leading engineering firms specializing in software, systems, reliability, safety and test system engineering. Scott Abrams received his B.E. in Electrical Engineering from Stony Brook University and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York State and an elected member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Reliability Society Executive Committee. Abrams is a past president of the Stony Brook University Alumni Association and continues to serve on the Association’s board of directors.
“Scott is a great alumnus and valued friend of the College,” said Dr. Shamash. “He has mentored and hired several Stony Brook University graduates, and we are extremely grateful for his longstanding involvement and service to CEAS and the University.”
Each year, The Omnicon Group provides internship opportunities to engineering students. In some cases, the company extends full time positions to qualified individuals at the conclusion of their internship.
“Omnicon believes that the future of the engineering profession sits on the shoulders of today’s youth,” says Abrams. “We anticipate a 20 to 30 percent increase in employment growth on Long Island over the next 12 months and we will actively look to the high caliber of students on Long Island to help fulfill this need.”
CEAS provides students with a solid foundation that prepares them to adapt to technological change throughout their career. Known for its “learn by doing” setting, hands-on laboratory courses, undergraduate internship program, and senior design project, CEAS provides practical experience in engineering that complements theoretical training.
Part of the State University of New York system, Stony Brook now encompasses 123 buildings on 1,100 acres. In the 50 years since its founding, the University has grown tremendously, now with more than 24,000 students and 2,100 faculty, and is recognized as one of the nation’s important centers of learning and scholarship. It is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, the invitation-only organization of the best research universities in the country, and has been listed as one of the best universities in the world by the London Times.
