Jennifer Komorowski (B.S.E.’18, Industrial & Entrepreneurial Engineering; M.S.E.’19 Industrial Engineering) received the Betty J. Georgeau Scholarship:
Two years ago, I found out that I had been blessed with the opportunity to finish my Accelerated Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering at Western Michigan University. As a senior industrial and entrepreneurial engineering student and in the accelerated master's program, I learned that I was the first recipient of the Betty J. Georgeau scholarship. The scholarship provided $20,000 a year for two years. One day during the summer semester, I scrolled through my school email and saw that I had won a scholarship. When I read through the email, I started to sob tears of joy, and I immediately called my mom crying over the phone. I felt very fortunate to have been selected from several outstanding students. I still have to pinch myself because it does not feel real that a girl like me could pursue her master's degree. To this day, I am honored to carry on Betty's legacy and her love for Western Michigan University. I am forever grateful for Phil Georgeau and his family.
After receiving the Betty J. Georgeau scholarship, I was lucky enough to generate close relationships with Phil Georgeau and his daughters Vicki and Lisa; I am forever grateful for the Georgeau family. One of the greatest impacts this scholarship has given me is a guardian angel, Betty. Through the good and the bad times, I am thankful to have her looking over me and watch me grow.
Currently, I work as an R&D Development Engineer at Pridgeon & Clay, Inc. in Grand Rapids, MI. My job includes, quoting, designing & developing new prototype metal stampings mainly for the automotive industry. It also includes managing projects from cost estimation to completion, providing technical direction to several project teams, customers and suppliers, and testing in the Advanced Engineering lab. As a Development Engineer, I feel like I wear several hats when it comes to quality, tool building, designing, quoting, cost analysis and more. The industry is fast-paced and continues to fuel my passion as an engineer.
I loved school so much that I returned to WMU to pursue my MBA. I am halfway done and expect to graduate in 2020 with my MBA. I am forever thankful for Pridgeon & Clay, Inc. for supporting me financially to obtain my MBA.
I cannot say thank you enough to the Industrial & Entrepreneurial Engineering department, faculty, professors and the CEAS staff of Western Michigan University. Without their constant support and guidance, I wouldn't be the engineer that I am today. Special shout out to Dr. Steven Butt for supporting me through not one, but two engineering degrees.
The Betty J. Georgeau Scholarship was established through a $500,000 endowment by Phil and Betty Georgeau. Phil Georgeau is a graduate of WMU and founder of Chem Link, a company based in Schoolcraft, Michgan, that manufactures products for the construction industry. Betty Georgeau, a passionate and ardent supporter of WMU, passed away in November 2016.
The Georgeau's also provided a $5 million gift for the creation of the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s Bronco Construction Research Center, allowing researchers to pursue innovative construction research that addresses the numerous challenges facing the construction industry.
Read more stories from WMU alumni about how scholarships had an impact on their education and future success. If you have a story about how scholarships received from WMU helped with your success, and you’d like to share it with the WMU alumni association audience, please let us know by completing this form.