2 gifts to provide College of Engineering scholarships
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's College of Engineering is celebrating two $1 million scholarship gifts as part of National Engineers Week.
One, an estate gift from Zionsville construction company founder Robert L. Turner and his wife, Catherine, in honor of Robert Turner's late son, Tim, is for the study of construction engineering and management. The second, from an anonymous donor and named in honor of the late engineer Walter Hesse, is for solar energy studies.
"We are thankful that we have generous donors who understand the importance of helping our students pursue their dreams in areas that will greatly benefit society," said Purdue President France A. Córdova. "The gift of such scholarships aligns perfectly with our strategic goals of launching tomorrow's leaders and meeting global challenges."
Turner, 69, invested $1,000 to start R.L. Turner Corp. in 1976. The company, whose CEO is now Robert Turner's son, Greg, specializes in biotech, religious, industrial, assisted living, medical, educational, recreational/pool, public/library and commercial construction.
Robert Turner earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Purdue. He received a Distinguished Engineering Alumni award in 2002.
Hesse, who died last year at age 85, was a co-founder of Entech in 1983. At Entech, he built a team of engineers dedicated to bringing patented solar power solutions to market. Hesse had been involved in development of high-tech solar power systems since 1977. He also served in the Navy and taught test pilots, including future astronauts, at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland.
Hesse earned his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue and was named one of the college's Distinguished Engineering Alumni in 1966.
"I am always grateful that our engineering alumni not only make us proud with their accomplishments and contributions to society but also give back in so many ways," said Leah Jamieson, the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering. "I'm particularly pleased that these gifts will provide scholarships for future engineers."
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Source: Leah Jamieson, 765-494-5346, lhj@purdue.edu