On a recent visit to Grounds, Barbara and Russell Mait were in the Chemical Engineering Building and noticed photos of past and current students. “We were impressed by the growth of the class sizes,†said Russell Mait, a 1978 graduate of the chemical engineering program. It inspired the couple to establish the Mait Bicentennial Fellowship Fund. The gift takes advantage of the University's Bicentennial Scholars Fund, which matches 50% on qualifying gifts that create endowments for need- and merit-based scholarships, including for graduate students. “We hope to help maintain the department's continued growth by supporting graduate students for years to come,†Mait said. “We're very grateful to Russ and Barbara,†said William S. Epling, chair of the department, noting their longtime involvement with UVA Engineering. “Fellowships provide critical funding to attract the highest-achieving students, and more of them, which in turn expands and elevates our research programs. Our undergraduates also benefit from excellent teaching assistants, mentorship and increased opportunities for lab research.â€