The Virginia Chapter of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) has awarded a prestigious scholarship to Virginia Tech civil and environmental engineering senior Avery Hollinger. The scholarship, created in honor of Neil Savitch, a longtime contributor to the chapter, was open to students from Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, and the Virginia Military Institute. Applicants were tasked with solving a structural problem related to concrete construction, and their responses were judged based on technical merit by the Chapter Board.

Avery's submission stood out for its clarity and technical accuracy. According to a member of the board, "Avery gave a good, clear technical response to the problem and referenced an appropriate technical document from the American Concrete Institute (ACI)," demonstrating a solid understanding of the field.