(Bluefield)—Dr. Tesfaye Belay, a faculty member at Bluefield State College, has been selected to receive a $40,000 “Energy Conservation Grant” from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.  The grant will cover the cost of a research project to promote adopting solar energy to illuminate a primary parking area at the College and to train BSC students in solar panel installation technology.

“The project is designed to reach out into the community to increase understanding and utilization of solar energy technology, reduce the College’s electricity costs, and increase students’ knowledge of the principles of solar energy conservation,” noted Dr. Belay, an Associate Professor of Biology at BSC.  “This grant will permit Bluefield State College to illustrate how an energy conservation program can benefit students, administration and community.”