Volgenau’s generosity helps education programs make a greater impact

The significant generosity of a couple with a heart for education and the Eagle Nation has increased the potential impact and reach of MSU’s education programs for generations to come.

Dr. Ernst Volgenau and his wife, Sara (Class of 1957), have been visionary leaders in STEM education, business development and philanthropy. Sara Lane Volgenau graduated from MSU in 1957 with a degree in elementary education. Ernst graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and later earned a Ph.D. degree in engineering at UCLA. During his United States Air Force career, Ernst worked on research and development for satellite and other space projects. In 1978, he founded SRA International Inc., an information technology company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and named to the Fortune magazine list of Best Companies to Work for in America.

The Volgenaus have long used their success to ensure success for others and support specific causes. They established The Volgenau Foundation (TVF) in 1994 to foster the conservation of natural resources and children’s education. They also provided a $2 million gift to Ernst’s alma mater, UCLA, to establish the Volgenau Chair in Engineering.

The couple has a soft spot for financially supporting projects that help to enhance science education in Eastern Kentucky, namely the Project to Elevate Aerospace Careers in Kentucky (PEACK) workshops in 2013, which allowed middle school teachers to receive training to help them address the Next Generation Science Standards.

In 2015, the Volgenaus showed up in a big way for Sara’s alma mater, MSU. They provided the financial backing to launch MSUTeach. This program allows students that are already majoring in STEM-related fields the chance to learn best practices within their content area, allowing them to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and teacher certification in secondary education within four years. The Volgenaus’ contribution allowed for the sustainability of the program.

As a token of the University’s appreciation for their support, MSU named a set of classrooms in the Lloyd Cassity Building the Lane-Volgenau Center for STEM Education. In 2016, MSU presented the Volgenaus with Honorary Doctor of Public Service degrees at the spring commencement ceremony.

“This is an opportunity to educate people who have the requisite math and science background to be teachers, as well. It’s our wish to see that kind of program growing here, particularly in Eastern Kentucky,” Sara said.

The Volgenaus spirit for giving didn’t stop there. MSU has received a total $3 million gift from the Volgenaus. In addition to an annual allocation directed to support students in the MSUTeach program, the Volgenau Scholarship Endowment fund will be invested with the proceeds used to provide awards to students in teacher education.

In recognition of these substantial contributions in 2020, Morehead State University announced the renaming of the College of Education to the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education.