ECE Scholarships
Scholarships from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering are made possible through the generosity of several ECE alumni and friends. It is our hope that the information on this page helps to strengthen the connection between donors and the recipients of ECE scholarships as well as allow others to learn more about the individuals who chose to give back to ECE. Where available, additional information about the history, intent, and inspiration behind the creation of our undergraduate scholarships can be found below.
ECE Students complete one application to be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible. Additional information on the application process can be found on the ECE Undergraduate Scholarships page.
Michael Allen Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2010 in honor and memory of Michael Allen (ECE Class of 2010) by his friends and family.
Admiral Paul and Joy Arthur Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2012 by Admiral Paul K. Arthur, U.S.N. (RET.) and Joy L. Arthur, both alumni who received their BSEE from Purdue in 1956. Admiral Arthur served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1949 until 1953, followed by service in the Navy Reserve. In his parallel and overlapping civilian career Arthur was a Department of Army civilian at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), New Mexico, starting as an entry level electronics engineer in 1956. During his career he held various test and evaluation positions including flight safety field engineer, test conductor, systems analyst, project engineer, chief of branches and divisions, materiel test director, executive director of the test center, and finally technical director/deputy commander of the missile range, the senior civilian position. He retired in 2004 after 48 years of service at WSMR and a combined 55 years of federal service.
Joy Arthur’s engineering career focused on increasing the survivability of the soldier in the battlefield and in decreasing the vulnerability of countless U.S. Army weapon systems to various threats. To this end, she conducted research and development in electronic warfare and information warfare from initial concept, experimentation, breadboard, and brass board, to final design and prototype. She designed and developed countermeasures (CM) and counter-countermeasures (CCM); conducted R&D on the protection of sensors including the human eye against laser threats, conducted R&D on detection of unintentional emissions, and many other phenomena present in the battlefield.
Thomas B. Baird Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established by Purdue alumnus Thomas B. Baird in 2010 to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Mr. Baird received his BSEE in 1964 and MSEE in 1966.
Roger W. & Carol A. Bassett Scholarship for Fire Protection Engineering
Established in 2007 by Roger and Carol Bassett. Roger Bassett graduated from Purdue in 1959 with a BSME degree and was the University Fire Protection engineer from 1965 – 1967. He is providing scholarships for students in their junior or senior year that are interested in the fire protection field. Roger is President and CEO of R. W. Bassett & Associates after having retired from FM Global in 1992, the premier fire protection and loss prevention company in the world.
Robert and Majorie Begeman Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2006 by Robert H. Begeman (BSEE 1948, MSEE 1949) and Majorie Begeman to support undergraduate students enrolled in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program at Purdue University.
Boeing ECE Scholarship
Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners and defense, space and security systems. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training. Boeing has a long tradition of aerospace leadership and innovation. The company continues to expand its product line and services to meet emerging customer needs. The Boeing-Purdue partnership programs are designed to stimulate and maintain interest in engineering and business career paths.
Thomas R. Bohl Scholarship
Established in 2012 by Patti Hester in memory of Thomas R. Bohl, EE Class of 1955. Thomas R. Bohl loved working on cars all of his life and owned 13 cars, 5 motorcycles, and a sailboat when he died. He was very proud of his alma mater and had fond memories of his years at Purdue, where he lived in Carey Hall and was involved with Aero Modelers, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Eta Kappa Nu, and Pershing Rifles. He went on to work in the aeronautics industry with Hughes Aircraft Company during the formative period of Silicon Valley as they integrated emerging transistor technology into aircraft.
Karl H. Bollenbach Memorial Scholarship
Established in March 1999 by Eugene and Pearl G. Bollenbach in memory of their son, Karl Bollenbach. The scholarship was created to support undergraduate students in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University. Karl completed his undergraduate and master's degrees in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University in 1987 and 1988, respectively.
Robert V. and Mary Ann Brodine Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2014 by Robert V. Brodine. Mr. Brodine had a distinguished record during his time of service in the Navy from 1943 to 1945. He was an Aviation Radio Technician, First Class operating specialized airborne electronic countermeasures and radar equipment. He also qualified as a member of the Navy's fabled Goldfish Club when, during one of his 20 combat missions, he was forced to ditch at sea after 14 hours of patrolling in heavy rainstorms near Iwo Jima, and was discovered on a life raft three days later. Mr. Brodine would like to recognize the men and women who have also served in the Military. This endowment is his way of honoring them and a way to inspire and help students achieve their goals while attending Purdue University.
Charles W. Brown ECE Scholarship
Established in 2007 by Charles W. Brown (BSEE 1950) to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Ralph & Wilma Byler Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
An annual, merit based scholarship established in 2010 by the Byler, Kreder, and Balzano families in the name of their grandparents, Ralph and Wilma Byler. Ralph Byler was the first in his family to graduate from college, receiving a degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue in 1934, and so this scholarship supports first generation college students.
Caterpillar Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. They are a leader in building the world’s infrastructure and are committed to making sustainable progress possible by driving positive change on every continent. Caterpillar scholarships are part of a university-wide gift and it is the company’s goal to enable Purdue students to overcome significant obstacles and help them earn degrees, fully prepared to meet the opportunities and challenges of life in a competitive, diverse, and global society.
Chevron Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Over more than 130 years, Chevron has grown into one of the leading marketers of refined products, including gasoline, diesel and aviation fuels and lubricants, in North America. Chevron’s business interests range from chemical production and mining to energy research and nanoscience. Along with a range of power facilities, they are also the world’s largest producer of geothermal energy. Chevron is committed to supporting Purdue University through contributions to the University, scholarships, student organizations, and minority organizations.
Robert and Grace Chou Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2010 by Robert and Grace Chou to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
William C. Cleveland Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2009 by William Cleveland (BSEE 1949, MSEE 1950). Cleveland speaks highly of his Purdue education remarking, “Purdue gave me an excellent engineering background for all of my varied design and management positions throughout my 38-year engineering career.” Cleveland retired from Ford Motor Company.
David and Janiel Dayton Student Scholarship
Established in 2013 by David and Janiel Dayton. David Dayton spent more than 35 years in a variety of chief executive and general management roles at several high technology companies, including 21 years at Hewlett Packard. After leaving HP in 1990, Mr. Dayton spent ten years in CEO positions in three smaller, venture-backed high tech firms. Mr. Dayton has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University and earned an MBA from the University of Colorado. On his education, Mr. Dayton remarked “The fundamental education that I received at Purdue taught me to think, reason, and learn through new experiences and opportunities. I am truly blessed that my parents suggested that I go to Purdue and study electrical engineering and I thank both them and Purdue for molding me for success.”
Gilbert J. Easley Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2010 by David Easley in honor of his father, Gilbert J. Easley (BSEE 1937). At Purdue, Gilbert Easley was elected to Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu, engineering honorary societies, based on outstanding scholarship. In 1941, he received an MS Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He spent his entire professional career, from 1937 to 1976, with Westinghouse Electric Company. He wrote or co-wrote a number of technical papers and articles, and is the holder of ten patents on high voltage power circuit breaker design. Also, he was active in national and international circuit breaker standards committees under the auspices of IEEE, ANSI, NEMA and IEC. He enjoyed boating, and built a power boat himself. Water skiing with his sons was a favorite activity. He earned a private pilot license and flew single engine airplanes to many locations in the U.S.
Professor Ahmed El-Abiad Memorial Merit Scholarship
Established by Zane and Frances Todd in 1997 in memory of Professor Ahmed El-Abiad. Born in Egypt, Professor El-Abiad came to the United States in 1949 as a graduate student. He later served Purdue as a professor of Electrical Engineering from 1959-1983 and was recognized for his work and leadership in the area of computer methods for power systems analysis.
Electrical and Computer Engineering General Scholarship
The Electrical and Computer Engineering General Scholarship is made possible by ECE Alumni, Parents, and Friends through the annual giving program and special events fundraising. The collective power of these gifts allows some of our best and brightest ECE students to continue pursuing their educational goals.
Emerson Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2010 by the Emerson Charitable Trust. Emerson is a diversified global manufacturing and technology company that is widely recognized for their engineering capabilities and management excellence. They offer a wide range of products and services in the industrial, commercial and consumer markets through our Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions businesses.
Eta Kappa Nu Beta Chapter Outstanding Junior Scholarship
A merit based scholarship established in 1995 by the leadership of Eta Kappa Nu, Beta Chapter. Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) is a student honor society for ECE students who are selected on the basis of scholastic standing, character, and leadership.
D.D. Ewing Alumni Scholarship
Dressel D. Ewing was born in Vanlue, Ohio in 1883. He received degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from Ohio Northern University in 1905 and 1906. In 1936 he was honored by his alma mater and awarded the degree of doctor of engineering. Dr. Ewing joined the Purdue staff in 1913 as an assistant professor of electrical engineering and was awarded the rank of full professor five years later. He became head of the School of Electrical Engineering in 1942, remaining in that position until his retirement in 1954.
Fessenden-Trott Scholarship
Established in 1980 in memory of ECE Professor Reginald Aubrey Fessenden and his wife Helen May Trott. Fessenden was Purdue’s first Professor of Electrical Engineering and was the Head of the School of Electrical Engineering from 1892-1893. Students flocked to his courses and remembered him as a gifted and inspiring teacher. Fessenden was a renowned inventor of electrical and radio equipment as well as a pioneer of radio broadcasting. His experiments that were initiated at Purdue led directly to wireless transmission of the human voice and music-radio as we know it today. Although he only spent a short time at the University, Fessenden did not forget Purdue. Since their deaths, the estate of Fessenden and his wife Helen has provided generous scholarships to ECE students.
Ford Blue Oval Scholarship
Founded in 1903 by Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company is a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich. and manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. Ford Blue Oval Scholarships assist in advancing the education of students while reducing their debt and deepening the relationship between the University, Ford, and Purdue Students.
Joseph and Angela Fuller Scholarship
Established by Purdue alumni Joseph Fuller (BSEE 2001) and his wife Angela Fuller (BA 2001, Communication). The Fullers believe a Purdue education is the best preparation for a career and hope their endowment will create possibilities for more students to attend the University.
Stanley S. Green Scholarship
Established in honor of Purdue alumnus Stanley Stiver Green (BSEE 1918).
Victor H. & Helen T. Green ECE Scholarship
The Victor H. and Helen T. Green ECE Scholarship was established in 2003 by Victor H. Green. Mr. Green received his undergraduate degree in 1949 and his master's degree in 1953 from Purdue in Electrical Engineering. As a student, Mr. Green was an active member of Kappa Delta Rho and Eta Kappa Nu.
John and Phyllis Hardy Family Scholarship
Established in 2010 by John (BSEE 1947) and Phyllis Hardy to support students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
William Hayt Junior Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship in ECE
Established in 2000 in memory of William Hart Hayt, Jr., an alumnus of the University who served the School of Electrical Engineering as a faculty member from 1949 until his retirement in 1985 and as head of the school from 1962 to 1965. This scholarship supports undergraduate students in the School of ECE.
Howard J. Heim Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2009 in memory of Howard Heim who invented the all-electronic television receiver with colleague Roscoe George in 1931. The original mechanical TV system required synchronization between a rotating disk in the receiver and a transmitting disk-a difficult task. George and Heim's creation of an all-electronic receiver eliminated the need for the rotating disk in the receiver. The receiver is on exhibit at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, Illinois. Heim later became Director of Purdue's first high-voltage lab.
Donald Heirman Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2000 by Donald Heirman (BSEE '62, MSEE '63) to support ECE students with an interest in electromagnetic fields and waves, antennas, and propagation and/or electromagnetic compatibility.
Charles and Anna Holder Scholarship in ECE
Established in 1996 on behalf of Charles D. Holder (BSEE 1931) to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
George E. Hollister EE'21 Scholarship
Established in memory of George E. Hollister (BSEE 1921) and the Purdue Forever Club.
Richard E. Houser Presidential & Trustee Scholarship in ECE
Established in 2011 in honor of Richard E. Houser by his family. Houser became an Eagle Scout and earned a merit scholarship that enabled him to go to Purdue. While at the University, he was a member of Scabbard and Blade, Alpha Phi Omega and Eta Kappa Nu. Houser graduated with a BS in electrical engineering in 1940, went to work as a project engineer for General Motors, and married his high school sweetheart, Joan. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted and ordered to report to Cruft Laboratories at Harvard University where he worked on something new and top secret, radar. He later went on to serve as a Major in the Korean War and then to work as a research engineer on avionics.
Richard E. Houser died September 12, 2009, at the age of 91. His sons Steve, Mark and Kent stated, “Our wishes, as well as our father’s, are that this scholarship will help educate individuals in the engineering field and allow them to change people’s lives — as our father did. He loved and was proud of his years at Purdue and remained interested in the University throughout his life.”’
Byron C. Jamison Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2000 by in memory of Mr. Byron C. Jamison by his grand-daughter, Ms. Marna L. Walle, and other family members. Mr. Jamison graduated with his B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1930, was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, and a member of the Purdue tennis team. His interests included: current affairs, video recording, and bicycling.
Walter V. Jones Memorial Fund
Established in 2007 in memory of Walter V. Jones by his wife Lorayn Jones. Mr. Jones graduated with his BS in Electrical Engineering in 1950 and was an active participant of the Cary Club and 1950 Seneca Unit.
Frank H. Justin Scholarship
Established in 2001 in memory of Frank H. Justin, Class of 1937. Mr. Justin was a member of the Army ROTC and the Purdue Alumni Association
Mary Rose King Scholarship for the School of ECE
Established in 2009, the Mary Rose King Scholarship for ECE was named in honor of Robert E. King's mother and provides scholarships for undergraduate students in the School of ECE based on academic merit. A West Lafayette native, Robert King (BSEE ’47, OECE ’92, HDR ’84) was a freshman at Purdue when Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, and volunteered for the army. After completing four years of service as a 1st Lieutenant, Robert returned to Purdue and received his BSEE degree in 1947. He went on to become vice chairman of Square D Company, an international manufacturer of electrical equipment and electronics products, retiring in 1986. Robert's mother Mary Rose King taught classes in home economics at Purdue, and his father Franklin G. King was head of the Animal Husbandry department of the School of Agriculture.
Donald Knebel ECE Scholarship
Established in 2003 by ECE Alumnus Donald E Knebel. Mr. Knebel received his BS in Electrical Engineering in 1968 and pursued his professional degree at Harvard University School of Law in 1974. He received the Engineering Alumni Association Award in 2003 and the Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineering Award in 2008, both from Purdue University. Mr. Knebel remains an active member and philanthropic supporter of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Long Electric Co. Scholarship
Established by Long Electric Company in 1978. Long Electric Company, Inc. is in business to furnish quality electrical services to the public and private sectors that provide long-term benefit to their business partners.
LyondellBasell Scholarship
Established by LyondellBasell in 2014. As one of the world’s premier plastics, chemicals and refining companies, LyondellBasell produces materials that are essential to shaping what comes next – in electronics, food packaging, construction materials, automotive components, motor fuels, textiles, medical supplies and more.
McDonnell Douglas Minority & Women Scholarship
Established in 1992, the objective of this scholarship is to improve the ratio of minority and women students in engineering programs. McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturing corporation and defense contractor formed by the merger of McDonnell Aircraft and the Douglas Aircraft Company in 1967. Thirty years later, McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing, allowing each company to profit from its successful specialties.
James B. McFerran Scholarship
Established in 2013 in honor of James B. McFerran (BSEE 1949, PhD ECE 1970). Mr. McFerran strongly believed that everyone should obtain a college education and it was his hope that his gift to Purdue would help needful and worthy students to obtain a college degree.
William and Mary Meese Scholarship
Established in 1984 in memory of Purdue alumni, William G. Meese (BSEE 1941) and Mary M. Meese (BS 1941, Home Economics).
William M. Morgan Scholarship
Linda Morgan established this scholarship in 2005 in honor of her husband, William M. Morgan (BSEE 1966), to support Indiana students who are undergraduates in the School of ECE.
Giles Morrill Memorial Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2000 by John B. Landis and his wife Sharon in memory of Sharon’s late father, Giles W. Morrill (BSEE 1954). Upon graduation in 1954, Giles joined the family business, Morrill Motors, in the engineering division. In his 43-year career, Giles conceived and developed numerous innovations which have become industry standards. He holds several patents in motor design, motor accessories designs and motor application designs.
William C.W. Mow Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2009 by William C. W. Mow to provide annual scholarships based on academic merit for undergraduate students in the School of ECE. Mow was born in Hangchow, China, and emigrated to the United States when he was 13. He received his BSEE in 1959 from Rensselaer Polytechnic, an MSEE in 1961 from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, and a PhD in 1967 from the Purdue Department of Electrical Engineering.
Upon graduation from Purdue, Mow accepted a position with Litton Industries and worked there for two years designing computers for guidance and control systems. Then in 1969 he founded Macrodata, which developed techniques for testing large-scale integrated chips. In 1997, he went on to head Bugle Boy Industries, a clothing manufacturer. In 1994, he was honored by Purdue as an Outstanding Electrical & Computer Engineer and as a Distinguished Engineering Alumni.
Johnnie Cole Otto Scholarship in ECE
Established in 2010 by Francis Otto (BSEE 1935) in loving memory of his wife Johnnie Cole Otto who he was married to for over 52 years. This is an annual, merit based scholarship for undergraduate students in ECE.
Outstanding ECE Merit Scholarship in ECE
Established by a generous anonymous donor in 2000 to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Charles Pittman Alumni Scholarship
Established in 1961 in memory of Charles F. Pittman (BSEE 1911) to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Thomas Alexander Prewitt Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1984 by Pauline Prewitt in memory of her husband, Thomas A. Prewitt (BSEE 1948). Upon graduation, Thomas pursued a career as an engineer with Delco Electronics where he was employed until his death on May 30, 1984.
Donald Quillin Memorial Alumni Scholarship
Established in 1970 in memory of Donald M. Quillin by his family. Donald received his B.S. degree from Purdue in Electrical Engineering in 1949. He served in World War I as a 2nd Lt. in the Air Corps and for the 20 years preceding his death was employed by Schlumberger Oil Surveying.
Rappaport Wireless Communications Scholarship
Established in 1993 by Theodore (Ted) and Brenda Rappaport. Ted has made many many pioneering contributions to the field of wireless communications including over 100 patents. His love for radio began at the age of five with his grandfather’s Philco antique shortwave radio. “We went there when I was a kid. He spent hours with me tuning around, listening to Morse code and ship-to-shore. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by wireless."
Rappaport is currently working on the future of wireless communications, building the first center in academia to bring together wireless engineers, computer scientists, and medical doctors. The objective is to bring wireless into its renaissance and change the whole form factor of computers, datacenters, and the office of the future. He attributes his success to his time at Purdue where he received his BSEE in 1982, MSEE in 1984, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1987. Purdue was also where he met the “love of his life,” wife Brenda.
RCA Zworykin Scholarship
Established in 1999 in memory of Vladimir Zworykin by Katherine Zworykin and the RCA Foundation. Born in Russia in 1888, Vladimir Zworykin is known as a pioneer of television technology. He served with the Russian Signal Corps in World War I before emigrating to the United States to begin work at the Westinghouse Electric Company in 1920. He patented his first television camera tube in 1923 and his Kinescope television receiver in 1924. He obtained his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1926 and in 1929 he went to work at RCA’s Camden, New Jersey laboratory as the director of electronic research. In 1954, upon his retirement from RCA, he was named honorary vice president of the company.
Vladimir Zworykin also made significant contributions to the field of medical electronics as well as the electron microscope. After leaving RCA, Zworykin became Director of the Medical Electronics Center in New York City. His numerous accomplishments earned him several awards, including the National Medal of Science.
Bloor and Patricia Redding Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in April 2009 by ECE Alums, Bloor Redding, Jr. and Patricia Redding. Bloor is a retired vice president and assistant general counsel at Hewlett-Packard. Patricia Redding is a retired director of engineering at Hewlett-Packard. The fund was created to support merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Both Mr. and Mrs. Redding completed their undergraduate degrees at Purdue in Electrical Engineering in 1979 and were members of Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu. They both received the School’s Outstanding Electrical and Computer Engineer Award in 2007 and they continue to be loyal members of the Purdue Alumni Association and active supporters of ECE and its students.
Paul and Peggy Reising Scholarship
Paul Reising earned his bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1969. Peggy Reising earned her Master’s degree from IUPU-Indianapolis in 1972. The Reisings have a vision for this scholarship based on Mr. Reising’s own experiences as just an “average Indiana ECE student who worked really hard” to keep a decent grade point average.
Mr. Reising founded his consulting firm in 2000. Previously, he was Chairman of R W Beck, a Seattle-based engineering firm. He joined the firm in the mid-seventies after five years at Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL). He was hired full-time at IPL after working there as a co-op student. He earned an MBA from Butler University. Mrs. Reising has worked as a math teacher, an independent consultant and as an administrator and project manager in the private sector. To support their passion for education and their experiences,they established the Reising Scholarship to be awarded to an Indiana ECE student. They hope to inspire average students by letting them know that they are worthy of the investment and are capable of great success.
Elmore W. (Bill) Rice III and Shirley A. Rice Engineering Scholarship
Established in 2007 by Elmore W. Rice III and Shirley A. Rice to support undergraduate students pursuing a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
James L. Rine Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2005 by ECE Alumnus James L. Rine. Mr. Rine received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Purdue in 1960 and was an active participant of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and the Army ROTC. He is an active member of the Purdue Alumni Association and the President's Council, and continues to be a philanthropic supporter of ECE and Purdue University.
Robey Memorial Scholarship in ECE
Established in 2007 by Alison M. Lam and David K. Robey in memory of their father Robert Leon Robey. Ms. Lam completed her undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering at Purdue in 1991.
Nestor Rojas ECE Scholarship
Established in 2010 in memory of Nestor Rojas. Nestor Rojas received his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue in 2008, whereupon he joined the team at the Integrated Design of Electromagnetically-Applied Systems, studying and doing research under the direction of Professor William Chappell. Unfortunately, Nestor passed away in 2010 at the age of 24. To those who knew him, Nestor was always a shining example of how to live life to the fullest. In addition to excelling at his studies, he was a gifted musician, very well-read, and constantly engaged in outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing. Also, with his great sense of positivity and easygoing personality, he made new friends easily, and touched many people's lives. He was always respected and admired by all his friends, because he was an honest, dependable, and genuinely kind person who never hesitated to help and uplift his friends.
This scholarship is endowed in Nestor's memory to encourage students to get involved in undergraduate research opportunities by working under and being mentored by ECE faculty in their research labs, thereby fostering their creative and innovative spirit through exposure to the latest research aimed at solving real-world problems.
Elias M. Sabbagh Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Senior in ECE Scholarship
Established in 1995 by Elias Sabbagh and the Eta Kappa Nu Beta Chapter Leadership. Elias Sabbagh began a 42-year teaching career at Purdue in 1928. In 1934, he received the fifth PhD ever awarded by Purdue. For many years, he was the faculty advisor to Eta Kappa Nu, the electrical engineering honorary society, and shortly before he retired he started the Elias M. Sabbagh Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Senior in ECE Scholarship to recognize exceptional students.
Mike & Sharen Schoendorf Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2004 by Michael and Sharen Schoendorf. Michael received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Purdue in 1968 and is grateful for receiving a scholarship that covered most of his expenses after his first semester. He and his wife created this scholarship in 2004 in order to give back to the University that allowed him to get to where he is today.
Loren E. and Gayle L. Shaum Scholarship
Established in 2013 by Loren E. and Gayle L. Shaum to provide support for sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the School of ECE, ME, or EET.
Eli Shay Electrical Engineering Scholarship
Established in 1996 by Michael Shay (BS 1950) in honor of his brother, Eli Shay, who was an ECE alumnus (BSEE 1939). Eli went on to establish several patents and earn additional degrees from both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University.
Stevenson Family Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Established in 2014 by Dr. Charles Stevenson and Joni Stevenson to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Stimson Family Scholarship
In 2012 Jon R. Stimson established this scholarship in honor of his parents Paul and Leona Stimson to recognize their lifelong devotion and support of his education. It supports annual undergraduate scholarships for in-state ECE students.
Ernest Swanbeck Scholarship
Established in 1998 by May Swanbeck in honor of Ernest E. Swanbeck (BSEE 1930).
Tellkamp-Bostater-Lawrence-Power Scholarship
Established in 1990 by the Jane & Lloyd Pettit Foundation, Inc. in honor of four Purdue graduates who spent the greater part of their careers as research engineers with the Allen-Bradley Company. These graduates were: Bernard F. Tellkamp (BSEE 1925), Arthur H. Bostater (BSEE 1931), Leland E. Lawrence (BSEE 1925), and Laurence E. Power (BSCHE 1912).
Donald E. Thomas Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2005 by Betty Thomas in memory of her husband Donald E. Thomas (B.S. 1943, Electrical Engineering). Supports Undergraduate students in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering based on academic merit and leadership as demonstrated through academic honors, membership in student organizations, and employment experience. Preference given to members of Beta Theta Pi or Alpha Chi Omega.
U.S. Steel Academic Scholarship
United States Steel Corporation manufactures a wide range of value-added steel sheet and tubular products for the automotive, appliance, container, industrial machinery, construction, and oil and gas industries. U. S. Steel prides itself on being a leader in both process and product technology and has four research and development facilities dedicated to advancing the boundaries of steelmaking.
Frank J. Vertacnik Scholarship in Electrical and Computer Engineering
The Vertacnik family endowed this scholarship in 2008 in the name of Frank J. Vertacnik. Frank was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sept 26, 1916 and was the third child of Slovenian immigrants. He was a decorated member of the US Army, and worked for the Indiana Bell Telephone Company for 32 years. He was a self-taught electronics technician, who learned Morse Code, built his own Heath Kit Radio, and attended classes at the Purdue Extension in Indianapolis where he earned a General Class Amateur Radio License. Frank was a great example of how hard work and perseverance can make you successful. We hope this small gift will help you to grow into a hard working and successful engineer.
Ralph J. Weiger ECE Scholarship
Established in 1999 by Ralph J. Weiger (BSEE 1949). After graduating high school, Weiger soon joined the U.S. Navy Air Corp and served as a pilot during World War II. When the war ended in 1945, Weiger took advantage of the G.I. Bill and an athletic scholarship to Purdue University to study electrical engineering and play varsity football and basketball.
After earning his degree in 1949, Weiger's first job was at Square D Company, a manufacturer of electrical switches and control devices for residential trade and industry. His company was acquired by IC of Chicago. In short order, IC purchased three other companies and made Weiger CEO/President of each, including Midas International Corporation. In the late 1970s through the early 1980s, Weiger moved to Kuwait and became president, COO of Yusef A. Alghanim & Sons, a billion-dollar trading company. They became the largest General Motors dealer in the world in 1979, as Weiger managed 17 product lines and profit centers. Weiger and his wife moved back to their home in the United States, where he became president and vice chairman of Jiffy Lube. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree from Purdue in May 2014.
Dorothy D. & Albert M. Wiggins Scholarship
Established in 1990 by Dorothy "Dot" Wiggins in memory of her husband, Albert M. Wiggins. After graduating high school, Albert Wiggins joined the U.S. Navy where he was trained as an electrician's mate. After leaving the Navy, he moved to Pittsburgh where he worked for Westinghouse Electric Co. and pursued his education in electrical engineering at Carnegie Tech University (now Carnegie Mellon).
After completing two years of study toward his degree, he was able to borrow only enough money for one more year of schooling. Purdue University offered him an accelerated engineering program, so he enrolled at Purdue in 1925 and completed his junior and senior studies in electrical engineering in one year, carrying 40 hours a semester. At Purdue he was also on the debate team, was a member of Kappa Delta Rho, and was elected to the Electrical Engineering honorary. Albert met his wife, Dorothy Diggins, while she was studying Home Economics at Purdue. Both Albert and Dorothy strongly valued education and it was their hope that this scholarship will help educate future engineers.
Samuel David Williamson Scholarship Fund
Established in 1993 with a bequest from the estate of Eleanor Williamson Koon in honor of Samuel David Williamson (BSEE 1933).
Stephen J. Woods Memorial Scholarship
Established in 1985 with gifts from family and friends in memory of Stephen J. Woods (BSEE 1979) to support undergraduate students in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Robert & Leah Yost Scholarship
The Robert and Leah Yost Scholarship Endowment was established in 2013 to support ECE students from Indiana based on academic merit and financial need.
Scholarship donors and stewards who wish to add or edit information about their scholarship may do so by contacting Molly Kissinger at MRKissinger@prf.org.