ATLANTA — Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) announced the William J. Astary “Bright Future” Scholarship, a tribute to the contributions of William “Bill” Jacob Astary to the lighting industry. Beginning in Spring 2025, the $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student, in addition to the regular awards given by the Besal Lighting Education Fund. This initiative reflects Bill’s lifelong dedication to education and his enduring impact on the lighting industry.
As the chair of the Besal Lighting Education Fund for over 15 years, Bill played a crucial role in supporting education for students in illuminating engineering disciplines across the United States. Bill also served as the president of the McClung Research Foundation from its inception in 2001 until 2011. His efforts helped the foundation grant $1.8 million in research funds, encouraging creative thinking, scientific exploration, and new solutions to advance technology, inspire designs, and conserve natural resources.
In memory of Bill Astary, Acuity Brands has launched a donation campaign via GiveButter to support the Besal Lighting Education Fund and the McClung Lighting Research Foundation. Sixty percent of the donations will go to the Besal Fund and forty percent to the McClung Foundation, continuing Bill’s mission to advance education and research in the lighting industry.
Donation Details:
- Campaign Period: August 1 – December 31, 2024
- Donation Amounts: $250, $500, $1000, $5000, $10,000, or custom amounts
- Donation Platform: GiveButter
- Ongoing Donations: Accepted through the McClung Research Foundation and Besal Lighting Education Fund
For more information and to donate in memory of Bill Astary, please visit Besal Fund and McClung Foundation.
About William “Bill” Jacob Astary
A native of Sterling, Ill., Bill Astary graduated from Georgia Tech University with a degree in Industrial Management. He had a distinguished 33-year career at Acuity Brands Lighting, where he was respected as a leader, mentor, and friend. Bill later joined Lumenergi as a Senior Vice President before joining Georgia Tech Professional Education as the Director for Industry Strategic Partnerships where he worked until his retirement in 2021. Throughout his career, he championed lifelong learning, earning an MBA in International Business from Mercer University and completing an Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
In 2024, Bill was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare and aggressive condition that claimed his life on June 5, 2024. Bill’s passion for education and research continues to inspire through the initiatives and programs he supported.
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