Cree donated $4M to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University on Monday to establish the Cree | Wolfspeed Endowed Scholars Program. Cree, Inc., and N.C. A&T said the new initiative will provide scholarship support to students within the College of Engineering Helping Orient Minorities to Engineering (H.O.M.E.) Program and the College of Science and Technology Inspiring Minds Program.
The Cree | Wolfspeed Endowed Scholars Program is designed to encourage and support students who choose to study in the College of Engineering or the College of Science and Technology.
Recipients of this scholarship program must reside in North Carolina and have participated in the H.O.M.E. Program or the Inspiring Minds Program. Through the scholarship, students will have the opportunity to be considered for paid summer internships with Cree | Wolfspeed as well as full-time employment with the company after graduation.
“At Cree, our purpose extends beyond our products. We are focused on creating opportunities where everyone can excel, and educational programs such as this scholarship are a key part of that mission,” said Cree CEO Gregg Lowe. “We believe in enabling students from all backgrounds and walks of life to have the same educational opportunities at the university level which will set them up for future success. As a company that is committed to creating an environment where inclusivity is real and active, establishing STEM-focused partnerships with historically black colleges and universities such as North Carolina A&T State University is incredibly important to us and we are excited about the program’s future.”
Over the next five years, selected students will join the leader in silicon carbide technology. Cree is an innovator of radio frequency (RF) semiconductors and lighting-class LEDs. Their product portfolio includes silicon carbide materials, power-switching devices, and RF devices targeted for applications such as electric vehicles, fast charging, inverters, power supplies, telecom, and military and aerospace.
Cree’s LED product portfolio includes blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, and lighting-class power LEDs targeted for indoor and outdoor lighting, video displays, transportation, and specialty lighting applications.
“As the no. 1-ranked historically black university in America, we are committed to the success of every student and our delivery of high-quality, intellectually stimulating education that challenges them to achieve,” said N.C. A&T Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr. “This partnership with Cree will provide current and future students with more opportunities to excel and help lead the way to success both during and after their time at the university. This program will have an immeasurable impact on the lives of students for years to come, and for that, we are incredibly grateful and look forward to what lies ahead.”