Bryan College senior Zane Gates has been awarded the Bradley Graduate Fellowship at Virginia Tech, a highly competitive PhD-level honor awarded annually to top graduate students in electrical and computer engineering.
The fellowship supports exceptional students pursuing advanced research and is considered one of the premier recognitions for students entering graduate engineering programs.
Gates is scheduled to graduate in May 2026 from Bryan College with a double major in Mathematics (Applied Mathematics) and Computer Technology, along with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
During his time at Bryan, Gates earned a place on the Dean’s List for Spring 2026 and was recognized during Honors Day 2026 with the Outstanding Senior in Mathematics Award.
College officials say Gates’ accomplishments reflect both academic excellence and a commitment to pursuing challenging opportunities beyond the classroom.
Dr. Lyle Smith, dean of engineering at Bryan College, said Gates’ research experience played a major role in preparing him for the fellowship.
“Zane has excelled in the classroom, but it is his optional research that distinguishes him,” Smith said.
Gates completed an artificial intelligence research project for Bryan College in 2023 and later earned a competitive internship with Johns Manville. Most recently, he conducted graduate-level research on material impact hardening with the engineering department at Liberty University.
Smith said Gates’ selection highlights the strength of Bryan College’s engineering program and the caliber of its students.
Gates’ achievement adds to a growing list of Bryan engineering graduates earning recognition in graduate study and professional fields. His next step at Virginia Tech places him among a select group of students chosen for one of engineering’s most prestigious graduate fellowships.
To learn more about Bryan College Engineering, go to https://www.bryan.edu/engineering
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