Eric Bringley has been named one of 35 American students to win the prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship. Bringley, a fourth-year chemical engineering student, will pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering at the University of Cambridge.
He was one of more than 4,500 students from around the world competing for approximately 90 total awards. The scholarship program was created in 2000 with a $210 million donation to Cambridge from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the philanthropic organization run by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife.
In a statement, University President Harris Pastides expressed his excitement over the announcement.
“We are so proud that Eric has earned Carolina's first prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship. His intellect, leadership and commitment to improving the lives of others are hallmarks of the Carolina experience and epitomize the qualities sought in Gates Cambridge Scholars,” Pastides said. “I am delighted that he will have this tremendous opportunity to expand Carolina's global reach through his study, research and collaborations at Cambridge.”