Development News
Nancy and George Dailey Biological Sciences Scholarship at Tennessee Tech encourages next generation of scientists
A generous gift from two Tennessee Tech biology alumni will establish a scholarship
for students majoring in the biological sciences.
Nancy (`73 biology and `81 M.S.) and George Dailey (`72 biology and `75 M.S.) established the Nancy and George Dailey Biological Sciences Endowed Scholarship at Tech to support students majoring in botany, cellular and molecular biology, environmental biology, health sciences, marine biology, microbiology, wildlife and fisheries and zoology. The scholarship underscores the Daileys’ commitment to the sciences and gives back to the university that prepared them for success.
“Our degrees from Tech gave us incredibly versatile backgrounds to work in any number
of scientific fields,” they said. “Our education included a strong foundation in the
natural sciences and in chemistry and laboratory work. Our time spent at Tech was
a good investment for us, and we hope that future students will find that Tech and
the sciences are a good investment toward their future. We greatly appreciate what
Tech did for us. Donating to the biological sciences is our way to repay and thank
Tech for that investment.”
After graduating from Tech, both Nancy and George began their careers at Oak Ridge
National Laboratory (ORNL) in the Information Division.
Nancy remained at ORNL for her entire career but moved to the Environmental Sciences Division in support of Acid Precipitation Research, then to the Environmental Compliance Division. She led the Hazardous and Mixed Waste Compliance Group, helped the lab stay in compliance with newly-enacted and/or changing environmental regulations and helped begin the cleanup of historic spills and disposal sites involving hazardous wastes and mixed wastes – both hazardous and radioactive.
George went on to work for ORNL’s Energy Division and led a program that supported the formation and operation of the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration. He later relocated to the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant to work on data systems, research and development projects – both unclassified and classified. The facility had previously been closed and was conductive to the secure nature of the work. George ultimately became the chief information officer at the Y-12 National Security Complex.
The biology scholarship is not the first endowment the Daileys have established at Tech. They previously established the George A. Dailey and Nancy Staats Dailey Biology Research Endowment to support research and professional development across the Department of Biology for both students and faculty.
“We hope our two endowments will attract additional students to pursue a degree in biology,” they said. “Getting a good education is critical to the continued success of the United States and the world as a whole. Getting that education at a good school at reasonable or reduced costs via scholarships in a good field of study is ideal. We also hope future students will select careers in the sciences because they are ever-changing, challenging and rewarding. With a degree in biology, students learn research, teamwork, problem solving and data evaluation, and they develop communication skills. It opens up a wide world of opportunities – and the end results might just benefit the whole wide world.
