Leadership comes naturally to electrical and computer engineering juniors Will Fete and Walker Berndt.

Fete and Berndt are both recipients of the 2024 McAllister Leadership Scholarship, an annual award created in honor of Bill McAllister '65, and engineering mechanics and Corp of Cadets alum.

Walker Berndt stands with Bill McAllister '65 at the Scholarship dinner.
From left: Walker Berndt stands with Bill McAllister '65 at the Scholarship dinner. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.

Berndt is an electrical engineering major, and has numerous leadership roles, including:

  • Corps of Cadets,
  • Conrad Cavalry,
  • Naval Special Operations Prepatory Team, and
  • Virginia Tech Caving Club.

After graduating, Berndt plans to commission into the U.S. Navy. He intends to obtain a special warfare service selection or pursue a dive training slot as a submarine officer.

"This scholarship has given me the opportunity to focus more on my academics and Corps obligations, allowing me to excel at both, without worrying about taking an on-campus job," said Berdnt. "It has made a significant difference in my ability to handle the difficult workload."

As machine learning major, Fete enjoys the community, sports games, and traditions of Virginia Tech. He also participates in Solar Car and Epsilon Sigma Alpha.

After he graduates, Fete wants to be a successful engineer, and make a positive difference in the community and the world.

"This scholarship has meant a lot to me," Fete said, "because it helpfed me realize how involved I was in the community as a leader, and the impact of that."

Will Fete, ECE professor Virgilio A. Centeno, and Walker Berndt.
From left: Will Fete, ECE professor Virgilio A. Centeno, and Walker Berndt. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.

The William C. McAllister Leadership Scholarship benefits undergraduate engineering students at Virginia Tech with awards ranging from $1,500 to $4,000 per year to support their education. Scholarship preference is given, but not limited to, students in the Corp of Cadets and is awarded to students based on superior intellectual promise and academic performance, demonstrated leadership ability, and personal character. Recipients are required to exhibit a strong commitment to leadership.