With new gift, leading aerospace manufacturer expands support of Drexel students in business and engineering
“I always dreamed of attending college in Philadelphia, specifically at Drexel, and the Doug Peacock Scholarship made it happen for me,” says Elin Verghese, a native of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania who is in her second year studying civil engineering.
By providing generous scholarships over the past five years, TransDigm Group—a global aerospace manufacturing company headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio—has supported Elin and more than 40 other students enrolled at Drexel’s College of Engineering and Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. Doug Peacock Scholarships fund expenses such as tuition, housing, food, books, supplies, and other needs that, if not fulfilled, may adversely impact the students’ ability to complete their undergraduate degrees. The financial support is renewable from year to year, and students who maintain eligibility requirements can continue to receive funding throughout their time as undergraduates.
With a recent pledge of $1.25 million, TransDigm is doing even more to help Drexel students, by renewing its commitment to providing additional scholarships over the next five years as well as making significant new investments to grow and sustain the BRIDGE program at LeBow and the DELTA program in engineering.
BRIDGE is a LeBow program and learning community created in 2012 to support first generation, low income, and/or students who have a demonstrated interest in building relationships in distinct group experiences—including site visits to companies throughout Philadelphia and beyond, discussion and networking events with business and community leaders, attendance at professional development conferences, community service and spring break immersion trips—as they develop into the business leaders of the future. Since its creation at LeBow, BRIDGE has expanded to other Drexel schools and colleges.
At the College of Engineering, DELTA (Drexel Engineering Leadership Transformation Academy) Summer BRIDGE is a two-week intensive academic program held each year that offers approximately 30 incoming students in STEM fields the opportunity to develop the skills in math, science, engineering and leadership that are needed for success at Drexel and beyond.
TransDigm and Drexel: A Deep Partnership
The Doug Peacock Scholarships are named in honor of the late founding chief executive officer and chairman of the board of TransDigm. TransDigm is a leading global designer, producer and supplier of highly engineered aircraft components.
“Drexel and TransDigm remain aligned in our commitment to developing and promoting a talented and equitable future workforce,” stated Kevin Stein, TransDigm’s president and chief executive officer. “With an increasingly global economy, broad-based workforces lead to better innovation, decisions and outcomes for everyone. Assisting students who might not otherwise have the resources to pursue postsecondary educational opportunities is an important initiative for TransDigm. We are honored to contribute through the Doug Peacock Scholarship Program and other commitments.”
A lifelong entrepreneur who held a doctorate in physical chemistry, Peacock pursued a long career at engineering and manufacturing companies including Westinghouse. In 1993, he co-founded TransDigm with Drexel mechanical engineering alumnus W. Nicholas (Nick) Howley ’75. A University trustee and 1979 Harvard Business School graduate, Nick Howley was CEO and executive chairman of TransDigm for over 20 years, and has been chairman of TransDigm’s board of directors since 2021.
The Howley family and The Howley Foundation are committed supporters of student scholarships and other programs at college preparatory schools, colleges and universities—including Drexel—with emphasis on educational institutions in Cleveland and Philadelphia. Notably, the Howley College Scholars Program provides an affordable pathway for students from West Catholic Preparatory High School to receive a top-tier Drexel education.
With an increasingly global economy, broad-based workforces lead to better innovation, decisions and outcomes for everyone. Assisting students who might not otherwise have the resources to pursue postsecondary educational opportunities is an important initiative for TransDigm.
Other Howley family members who graduated from Drexel include Nick’s daughter, Meg, who received an MS in psychology in 2010 and is executive director of the foundation. Nick’s late father, W. Nicholas Howley Jr., received a BS in 1951 from what was then the College of Business and Administration, and served as a member of Drexel’s board of governors in the late 1960s. A sister-in-law and nephew also are alumni of the University.
New Support for Business and Engineering Programs
“At LeBow BRIDGE, we deeply appreciate the generosity of TransDigm, who enable us to continue serving our student scholars and the wider community, says Brian Ellis, associate dean for academic programs administration at LeBow and executive director of Drexel’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies. “Visionary companies like TransDigm help us nurture the business leaders of tomorrow.”
Representing a range of academic majors across LeBow, BRIDGE scholars share a commitment to excelling academically and consistently achieving GPAs above the average student and those in other university learning communities. They secure prestigious co-op positions with top employers including Johnson & Johnson, Google, Microsoft, Comcast, KPMG, Ernst & Young and others.
“At the College of Engineering, we are very grateful to TransDigm not only for renewing its commitment to student scholarship support but for the generous additional gift to our DELTA summer program,” says Kapil Dandekar, interim dean of the College of Engineering. “Investments like these help strengthen our College and empower the next generation of engineering leaders.”
TransDigm’s support of Drexel students already has had meaningful impact. Several past recipients of the Doug Peacock Scholarship have moved on to graduate study at Drexel and other institutions. Others are starting careers in multiple fields at private companies and public agencies in Philadelphia, throughout the country and beyond.
After receiving her civil engineering degree, Elin Verghese aspires to make a tangible impact in the field of sustainable technology and infrastructure, contributing to innovative solutions that address pressing environmental challenges while promoting efficiency and sustainability. She also hopes to leverage her engineering education to tackle issues related to urban development and infrastructure, helping to create and sustain smart, resilient cities that prioritize sustainability and inclusivity.
Thanks to TransDigm’s generous and continued support, all of Elin’s goals—and the hopes and dreams of many other aspiring engineers and business leaders—are a real possibility.
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Photo at top of page: Participants in the College of Engineering’s DELTA program attending a Phillies game