Pitt Announces Emil Sanielevici Undergraduate Research Scholarship Winner

September 19, 2001

PITTSBURGH—Those who had hoped that some good would come from the tragic death of University of Pittsburgh physics student Emil Sanielevici, who was killed during the March 2000 Wilkinsburg shooting spree of suspect Ronald Taylor, had to be heartened during a scholarship presentation in his name on Monday.

The Emil Sanielevici Undergraduate Research Scholarship for 2001 was awarded to Patrick Irvin, a junior physics major from Manchester, Pa., in a ceremony attended by dozens of Pitt students, faculty, and administrators, in addition to Emil's father, Sergiu, assistant director for Scientific Applications and User Support for the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center.

"Everyone who knew him believed that Emil reflected the best of the human spirit," said Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. "He worked hard, and was bright and inquisitive. It is fitting that we have this chance to honor him. It's all the more appropriate that we come together in his name in this way, given the events of the last week."

The scholarship was funded by private donations and discretionary funds from the University.

The scholarship pays full undergraduate tuition for one term for a Pitt physics or astronomy student. The award is based on an application which details the applicant's coursework and evaluates a proposal for research by the student.

Irvin will be expected to carry out the proposed research project with a faculty member in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. He will discuss his research experience and the results of his project in the annual Sanielevici Seminar near the end of this term or early in the next term.

###

9/19/01/tmw