J.W. "Wally" Grant, professor of engineering science and mechanics in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech and former director of the Virginia Tech Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, has been named the university's first Kevin P. Granata Faculty Fellow by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The Kevin P. Granata Fellowship was established in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics in memory and honor of the tenured professor who died during the tragic shooting on April 16, 2007. The fellowship recognizes teaching and research excellence. Recipients must be tenured members of the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics.

A member of the Virginia Tech community for almost 30 years, Grant is an accomplished researcher who has obtained several million dollars in funding for biomechanics research from the National Institutes of Health.

Grant was one of three key individuals who worked to establish the Virginia Tech Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences and obtained approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia for the university to grant graduate degrees in biomedical engineering.

A distinguished teacher, Grant has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses. He twice received a Certificate of Teaching Excellence from the College of Engineering, and has also received the Frank. J. Maher Award for Excellence in Engineering Education.

Grant received his bachelor’s degree from the West Virginia University Institute of Technology, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Tulane University.

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