Give to the Dr. Gerald L. Gordon Scholarship

 

Portrait of Jerry Gordon

The Economic Development Authority of Fairfax County (FCEDA) is celebrating the accomplishments of Dr. Gerald L. Gordon, retiring president and Chief Executive Officer, by creating a new scholarship opportunity for the Honors College. PenFed Credit Union has generously offered a matching gift challenge to support this new scholarship endowment. To participate in the matching gift challenge, community members and business partners may give directly to the Dr. Gerald L. Gordon Endowed Scholarship.

The Dr. Gerald L. Gordon Scholarship will support Honors College undergraduates pursuing STEM, economics and other fields that are relevant to economic growth in Fairfax County.  More specific criteria for the scholarship will be announced in the Spring of 2019.

A long-term friend and supporter of the Honors College, Dr. Gordon was the founding chairman of the Honors College Advisory Board in 2014.   In his role as chairman, Dr. Gordon has facilitated the creation of multiple internships for Honors College students at the FCEDA and at other local businesses.  A true ambassador for the Honors College, he has introduced Honors College students to a number of important groups in the region including the Virginia Technology Council and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce.  “Dr. Gordon never loses sight of the important connection between education and economic development,” explains Dean Zofia Burr.

“Dr. Gordon knows that in order to be prepared for the future, young people need to learn how to consider complex problems from multiple perspectives,” continues Dean Burr, noting that Dr. Gordon’s outlook supports and complements The Honors College curriculum and mission.

“Dr. Gordon works for the economic development board, and he wants to see Fairfax County’s economics and local business community continue to grow,” says Bryant.  Since his start with the FCEDA in 1983, Dr. Gordon helped to increase Fairfax County jobs from 243,000 to more than 600,000.  Virginia Business magazine’s 2010 “Virginia Business Person of the Year,” Dr. Gordon is nationally recognized for his ability to link the interests of business and community to create and sustain economic prosperity.

The scholarship endowment financially enables Honors College students planning relevant careers to access the support they need to make an impact.