Scholarship established in honor of engineering student Denny Ayres

Denny Ayres

Students from the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources have established a scholarship fund in honor of Denny Ayres, who passed away unexpectedly on December 22, 2022, after a brief illness.  

Story by Brittany Furbee, Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Ayres was a junior mechanical and aerospace engineering student who excelled at his studies and was recently recognized on West Virginia University's presidents list for earning a 4.0 GPA. He was also a member of the WVU Experimental Rocketry Club and served as a camp counselor at the Statler College in the summer.  

“He was an exemplary student and it meant so much to me that everybody knew that he never complained and that he put in the extra work and that's why he was accomplishing so much,” said Ali Abdelwahed, a mechanical engineering student who organized the scholarship fund. “If you knew him, you would know his work ethic was very contagious. He made you want to be a better student and that was why I enjoyed our friendship so much.” 

Prior to his death, Ayres had secured a coveted 2-summer co-op at Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc, in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.  

“This was quite an ideal and amazing opportunity for Denny,” said Abdelwahed. “He was especially excited to be able to do work for the Navy, which was near and dear to his heart since his great grandfather was in the Navy in WWII. Without a doubt, he would have been one of the best engineers in the room at any moment. He had every attribute and aspect an engineer should have. From imaginative and innovative to math oriented with people skills, he was the full package.”  

The scholarship has already raised over $9,000, with the overall goal being to raise $50,000 in order to establish an endowment in Ayres’ name.  

Abdelwahed is hopeful that they will be able to award the inaugural Denny Ayres Scholarship by Fall 2024. Students who are majoring in mechanical or aerospace engineering at the Statler College with a 3.0 GPA and active in at least one club or organization at WVU will be eligible for the award.  

“I hope that it will be given to such an exemplary student that sets that high standard just like Denny,” said Abdelwahed. “Nobody else worked harder than him and it deserves to be held in continuum for years to come. I hope that this can help shine a light on his name and keep giving to others just as he did when he was with us.”  

To contribute to the Denny Ayres Scholarship fund, visit https://give.wvu.edu/fundraiser/4425795.  

Interested donors can also contact Tammy Cavarretta, executive director of development for the Statler College, at tcavaretta@wvuf.org or 304-293-4036.  

All gifts to the Denny Ayres Scholarship are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University. 

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