Charles E. Gavin III Family Scholarship (Georgia Institute of Technology)

Undergraduate students at Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering may apply for this $6,000 scholarship. The Gavin Family Scholarship provides $3,000, and Georgia Institute of Technology provides matching funds of $3,000. Two scholarships are awarded each year. Students who receive this scholarship may be eligible to have it renewed for a second year.

Eligibility

Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Attending (or planning to attend) Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering
Coursework focus in textile related programs (textiles/polymer science)
Native-born U.S. Citizen, eligible for in-state tuition

Selection Criteria

Demonstrated leadership in school or community
Financial need
SAT scores
Academic expectancy to graduate
Work experience and history

Apply

Applications will close February 28, 2026. Applicants will be notified by early summer.

To access and complete the ��ɫֱ��Foundation scholarship application form, click You may be eligible for this and other ��ɫֱ��Foundation scholarships.

For questions, contact ��ɫֱ��Foundation Inc at 919.549.3524 or email India Hansen.

Mr. Charles E. Gavin III

Charles E. Gavin, III has been a very active member of ��ɫֱ��since 1958 when he joined the student chapter at Auburn University. He served as a Councilor of the Southeastern Section, ��ɫֱ��President, and Treasurer of ��ɫֱ��and ��ɫֱ��Foundation. Gavin was instrumental in establishing ��ɫֱ��Foundation Inc.

Gavin began his textile career in 1959 as a shift dyer in the carpet industry. He quickly grew from superintendent of carpet dyeing to vice-president of carpet manufacturing. Under his direction, the first acid-dyed nylon carpet product line was developed, which changed the direction of the carpet dyeing industry by providing products with superior colorfastness properties. Gavin formed MFG Chemical Inc, which produces a wide range of surfactants and polymers in two manufacturing plants. In June of 2017, Gavin sold a major part of the company, MFG LLC. The family maintains a seat on the Board and a minor portion of the LLC, which has grown to a $11.8 billion corporation and part of the Platt River Private Placement Group.

Gavin attributes his career successes to the education he received at Auburn. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Textile Management (Dyeing Option) in 1959. Gavin’s first two years at Auburn were funded by a scholarship he received from West Point-Pepperell and money he received from the University’s co-op program.

Gavin never forgot the assistance and support he received from those caring individuals who helped foster his growth in his early college and work career. In 1997, Gavin was one of several of ��ɫֱ��members having the vision to establish the ��ɫֱ��Foundation, Inc. as a separate charitable organization with its own Board of Directors, but under the control of AATCC. Gavin was the first contributor and encouraged other ��ɫֱ��members to also contribute. Hugh and Phil Patrick each made contributions due to Gavin&/scholarships/gavingit/8217;s example and encouragement. In order to pass along the opportunities provided to him, he created the Charles E. Gavin III Family Scholarship for students studying materials science and engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology and for students studying polymer and fiber engineering at Auburn University.

Later, after establishing scholarships at Auburn University and Georgia Institute of Technology, Gavin funded and established the Martin J. Bide Scholarship at the University of Rhode Island, and two graduate fellowships. These fellowships, the Grady, Hauser, Houser, Daniels Graduate Fellowship, and the Connelly-Perkins Graduate Fellowship, were established and provided initial funding by Gavin in honor of close friends and associates at ��ɫֱ��who had graduated from North Carolina State University and Clemson University. The Grady, Hauser, Houser, Daniels Graduate Fellowship is for Ph.D. students studying at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University, and the Connelly-Perkins Graduate Fellowship is for students studying at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Clemson University.

“It is the desire and hope of the Gavin Family that those students who are chosen to receive this scholarship will, someday, consider passing this opportunity on to another deserving student.”