The late Capt. Jon. A McBride smiles while speaking with Statler College students. A newly endowed scholarship established in his memory will support students majoring in aerospace engineering at WVU. (WVU file photo)
For students pursuing aerospace engineering degrees at the West Virginia University Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, hands-on experiences can be just as important as classroom learning.
Building rockets, competing in engineering competitions, and completing internships give students opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom while preparing for careers in the aerospace industry. A newly endowed scholarship that honors Capt. Jon A. McBride, West Virginia’s first astronaut, is helping make those experiences more accessible for WVU aerospace engineering students.
The Capt. Jon A. McBride Aerospace Engineering Scholarship, established after his death in 2024, has grown thanks to generous gifts from alumni and friends. The scholarship supports students pursuing the field he championed, with first preference for students from West Virginia.
“We’re grateful for the generous alumni and supporters who made this scholarship possible,” Jason Gross, chair of the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering, said. “We certainly have a large aerospace undergraduate program, and we’re always in need of more support for our students.”
A native of Beckley, McBride attended WVU in 1960s before entering the U.S. Navy’s flight test program. He went on to become a test pilot and NASA astronaut, eventually serving as pilot of Space Shuttle Challenger’s STS-41G mission in 1984.
He remained connected to WVU and its aerospace engineering community throughout his life, returning to campus to speak with students and helping encourage the University’s involvement in NASA-related robotics competitions.
“Without a doubt, it would be very inspirational for a student to have a scholarship that’s been named after West Virginia’s first astronaut,” Gross said.
The newly endowed Capt. Jon A. McBride Aerospace Engineering Scholarship will empower students to participate in the Experimental Rocketry Club and other experiential learning activities. (Submitted photo)
The newly endowed Capt. Jon A. McBride Aerospace Engineering Scholarship will empower students to participate in the Experimental Rocketry Club and other experiential learning activities.
Financial support can be particularly valuable for students seeking experiences as part of their aerospace engineering education. WVU students participate in competitions involving rockets, unmanned aircrafts and robotics, opportunities that can require significant time and resources.
Scholarships can help reduce the financial pressure students face, allowing them to devote more time to academics and extracurricular activities.
“These extracurriculars are pretty much necessary for students to get a high-quality engineering education and get those hands-on learning experiences,” Gross said. “So, anything we can do to find opportunities to reduce the financial burden on our students will help them not only just pay to be here, but to be able to get the full benefit of what they can participate in while at WVU.”
For WVU senior Jordyn Herter, those opportunities have been an important part of her education. A Morgantown native pursuing dual degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Herter has spent three years with the University’s Experimental Rocketry Club.
She has advanced from club member to aerostructures and recovery subteam lead and now serves as the team’s flyer of record, the chief engineer responsible for approving the vehicle before flight. Herter said the experience has provided practical skills she has carried into internships and other professional opportunities.
Her involvement in the Experimental Rocketry Club has also required significant time outside the classroom, which can be difficult for students who also need to work to cover college expenses. Financial aid such as the McBride Scholarship can help provide students with the flexibility to pursue these experiences.
Statler College student Jordyn Herter says scholarship support has enabled her to participate in the University’s Experimental Rocketry Club and other educational activities. (Submitted photo)
“Scholarships really help people get involved so that we don’t have to worry about working to fund ourselves,” said Herter, who received other scholarships. “We can rather spend that time on academic pursuits.”
For Herter, the value of opportunities like these extends beyond the technical skills they provide. They also show what students from West Virginia can accomplish when they have the resources and opportunities to pursue their interests.
“Although a lot of people like to count out West Virginia, don’t count out the little guy,” Herter said. “We’re doing pretty good stuff here.”
The McBride scholarship was established through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University. Alumni and friends can contribute to the scholarship online via a dedicated giving page.