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IEEE Foundation Day 2026

Every year leading up to IEEE Foundation Day, we pause to acknowledge the people whose passion, curiosity, and generosity help make the IEEE mission thrive. This year’s theme, Fueling the Future, reminds us that the world’s most urgent technological challenges are solved not only by brilliant ideas but by the people who invest in others: students who dare to think differently, educators who spark possibility, and donors who empower progress.

This year, we celebrate remarkable individuals whose stories embody the energy and momentum behind IEEE charitable programs.

STUDENTS & YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: Tomorrow’s Innovators

Sofia Brumbaugh – Hoveida Family Scholar

Sofia Brumbaugh, an IEEE member and young professional, is grateful for the support she has received through the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES). Sofia was the IEEE 2023 John W. Estey Outstanding Scholar from Region 6, and is also a two-time (2022/23 and 2023/24) Hoveida Family Scholar, a scholarship made possible by the Hoveida Family Foundation. The power and energy industry is moving through a once-in-a-generation transition—one that demands renewable energy innovation, equitable access, and a workforce prepared to replace retiring experts. The IEEE PES Society and the Hoveida Family Foundation are tackling this challenge by fueling new talent through the IEEE Power & Energy Society Scholarship Plus Initiative.

Sofia completed her undergraduate and graduate work at Santa Clara University. She reflected, “This scholarship allowed me to save money to pursue microgrid research during my graduate degree. I was able to complete a Masters thesis on my research and ended up submitting and presenting my paper LQR Regulation for an Optimal Performance of a Multi-Battery System at the 2025 IEEE SusTech Conference.” When asked what she is working on now, she offered, “I have been working at S&C Electric Company on their Grid Enablement team as a Power Systems Controls Engineer. We mostly work on large-scale microgrid projects, often designing and programming our microgrid controller, GridMaster, for the system.” This scholarship is more than funding—it’s an investment in the engineers who will build a resilient and sustainable energy future.

Parker Megginson – IEEE Life Members Graduate Study Fellow

As an undergraduate at Auburn University, Parker Megginson found both community and purpose through IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN). Serving as president of his chapter gave him the chance to collaborate closely with fellow students and faculty and helped him discover the wider IEEE ecosystem. Today, as he pursues his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Georgia Tech, Parker continues to stay actively connected through conferences, events, and volunteer opportunities that support rising engineers.

Receiving the 2025 IEEE Life Members Graduate Study Fellowship in Electrical Engineering arrived at a pivotal moment—during the transition into his first year of graduate school and life in a new city. The Fellowship provided not just financial assistance but a meaningful welcome into the graduate community. Just as important, Parker notes, were the mentorship and personal connections he gained with IEEE leaders who have guided him early in his academic journey.

Looking ahead, Parker envisions a career grounded in teaching and mentorship—whether in academia or industry. “I want to support students the way my mentors have supported me,” he says. His path reflects the true purpose of donor-supported fellowships: empowering young engineers who will, in turn, pay it forward.

Raghul Dayanithi – Inaugural IEEE-HKN Frank and Shelly Chang Outstanding Student Scholar

This new scholarship—created in celebration of Frank and Shelly Chang’s 50th wedding anniversary —recognizes students whose leadership, scholarship, and character elevate their chapters and communities.

Raghul embodies those ideals. As the first-ever recipient in 2025, he is setting a powerful precedent for how young engineers can advance both technical excellence and service-driven leadership. “This support has motivated me to advance my technical knowledge and continue contributing to impactful engineering projects,” he shared. “I will be using the scholarship for my future research development and academic expenses, which helps me focus more on innovation in embedded systems and sustainable technologies. The award has strengthened my sense of responsibility toward society, encouraging me to create solutions that address environmental and community challenges through technology.”

He plans to pursue a Master’s degree in VLSI Design. His goal is to develop advanced system-level and chip-level technologies that improve environmental safety, intelligent sensing, and sustainable engineering solutions. Raghul’s story represents the hopes of Frank and Shelly Chang, whose generosity ensures that HKN students worldwide are equipped to lead with integrity. 

EDUCATORS: The Mentor Who Sparks the Future

Every great STEM professional starts with someone who helped them see what was possible. IEEE Foundation donor-supported programs empower educators who create those defining moments. One of those educators is Elizabeth Vidal.

Elizabeth Vidal – EPICS in IEEE (Region 9)

Elizabeth Vidal has long believed that engineering education should connect students with their communities. Through EPICS in IEEE, she helps students in IEEE Region 9 design real solutions with real impact—from a soft robotic glove for fine motor rehabilitation to an assistance system for emotion detection for visually impaired people.

She champions service-based engineering while opening doors for young people who may be encountering STEM for the first time. Elizabeth said, “I became involved with EPICS because of its social impact and meaningful learning experiences for engineering students.” 

The impact on both her students and community has been significant. Elizabeth reported that the students “gained confidence, technical skills, leadership abilities, and a profound understanding of their responsibility as engineers.” Elizabeth also recognized that the projects gave her community practical support and hope. Elizabeth’s enthusiasm doesn’t just teach engineering; it builds community and future engineers who lead with empathy and purpose.

DONORS: The Visionaries Who Make It All Possible

IEEE Foundation donors don’t just give. They galvanize progress. Their support multiplies opportunities, amplifies impact, and empowers people whose ideas shape a better world.

Professor Saraubh Sinha – Philanthropy and Transformative Engineering

IEEE Foundation Director, Professor Saurabh Sinha, IEEE Fellow and Executive Dean of Engineering at the University of Canterbury, has dedicated his career to transforming engineering education and expanding its reach to communities, beginning with his own experience as a student member of IEEE. His commitment to the next generation of engineers is rooted in the belief that education becomes truly meaningful when students witness the tangible impact of their work on a human level.

As a proud member of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN), Saurabh actively supports students by nurturing qualities like scholarship and character through mentoring. This passion led him to co-found EPICS in IEEE with Kapil Dandekar in 2009. The program has now reached over 50 countries, connecting student teams with nonprofits and communities to use engineering to make a genuine difference.

Through these community-based projects, he notes that a student’s mindset shifts from a focus on calculations to asking, “Who is this for? What problem are we trying to solve?” This realization stays with them, instilling the understanding that technology is not just built but shapes lives. Saurabh views his service and philanthropic support as a vital investment in the future.

He reflects, “When students are trusted to work on real problems with real communities, they grow in ways that traditional coursework cannot deliver. Philanthropy allows us to invest in the next generation, not by telling them what to do, but by giving them the tools and freedom to lead.”

Dr. CJ Reddy – Champion for Student Advancement

For years, Dr. CJ Reddy, IEEE Fellow, Siemens Fellow at Siemens Industry Software Inc., and IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) President, has been a driving force behind opportunities for students in antennas, electromagnetics, and RF engineering. Instrumental in working with the IEEE Foundation to establish the IEEE AP-S Talent Development Fund aimed at attracting and nurturing future technologists and innovators to the antennas and propagation field, CJ’s philanthropic support has funded hands-on experiences and mentorship that open professional doors for emerging engineers.

His commitment is rooted in a simple belief: when you invest in students, you invest in the future of innovation. CJ said, “As someone who’s benefited both professionally and personally from attending the AP-S’s annual conference since 1992, I’d like to extend the same opportunity to the younger generation so that they can attend the conference and benefit from the activities as I had.” He established the CJ Reddy Travel Grant for Graduate Students, which supports MS and PhD students attending the IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation.

Mei Lin Fung – Donor Inspiring Technology for Human Flourishing

Mei Lin Fung has dedicated her career to the idea that technology should help people thrive. Through her generous support of the IEEE Foundation, she advances programs that empower communities, strengthen digital equity, and cultivate a more inclusive engineering ecosystem.

Her story reminds us that philanthropy isn’t just about giving—it’s about paving the way for technology that’s designed with humanity at its center. Mei Lin shared, “We care about others around us and those following us because we are part of a lineage: many before us made choices so we could be here, and we must do the same for those who come after.” Mei Lin is motivated by paving the way forward for those coming up behind her and also providing a solid example, or beacon even, for other IEEE members to join in fostering the next generation.

Together, We Are Fueling the Future

These students, educators, and donors represent the thousands of people who power the IEEE Foundation’s mission every year. Their achievements, generosity, and vision remind us that progress doesn’t run on ideas alone—it runs on people. To discover more about the impact of our collective work, visit: https://www.ieeefoundation.org/impact/.On IEEE Foundation Day 2026, we celebrate all of you who help fuel: new talent, world-changing education, life-shaping opportunities, and technology that benefits humanity. The future is bright—and you are the energy behind it. Join us this IEEE Foundation Day in celebrating what your contributions have made possible—and imagine what more we can transform together.