April 12, 2008

Purdue students to benefit from $5.6 million in gifts

A $3.2 million bequest from the estate of the late Alfred and Eva Mathiesen will establish a scholarship for students with high financial need, while a $1.3 million anonymous donation will support a scholarship for electrical engineering students. Tom and Sandy Malott of Sanibel, Fla., and Alpharetta, Ga., have donated $1.1 million during their lifetimes. Their latest gifts, totaling approximately $500,000, will support international opportunities and reward innovation within mechanical engineering.

"I am grateful to all of these donors for their generosity," said Purdue President France A. Cordova. "Financial support for students can make a huge difference in bringing them to Purdue and helping them to succeed here."

The donors, their families and others were recognized Saturday (April 12) at an event for the R.B. Stewart Society, formed to honor those who designate portions of their estates to Purdue.

The Alfred and Eva Mathiesen Memorial Scholarship Fund will benefit low-income students who live in Fulton County, Indiana, and surrounding areas.

The Mathiesens, previously of Akron, Ind., were career teachers.

Alfred Mathiesen died in 2007 at age 95 in North Manchester, Ind. He married Eva Louise Rowe in June 1942 and served in World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy. He taught riveting classes on Navy Pier in Chicago. He earned his bachelor's degree in engineering from Wisconsin State University and later completed his master's degree in education at Purdue in 1968.

He taught school for 38 years at both the elementary and high school levels. For much of his career, he taught industrial arts and agriculture at Akron High School. He was a member of Akron United Methodist Church, Rochester Masonic Lodge and the Retired Teachers Association.

Eva Mathiesen died at age 94 in North Manchester, Ind., in 2005. She earned her teaching degree from Butler University and taught for 39 years in Akron and Wabash. She was a member of Akron United Methodist Church and the Retired Teachers Association.

In addition to the Malott and Mathiesen gifts, a $1.3 million memorial scholarship has been established through the estate of an anonymous donor. The scholarship will be available to students who choose to study electrical or computer engineering.

The Thomas J. and Sandra H. Malott Endowment for Innovation in Mechanical Engineering is designed to identify and reward students and faculty who recognize, promote and support innovative ideas in the field. The first awards associated with the endowment will be presented in early May.

The Malotts previously established the Thomas J. and Sandra H. Malott Endowment for International Opportunities. Through the endowment, the couple provided the funding to initiate the Global Engineering Alliance for Research and Education. Students in the program experience both a U.S. and overseas internship with a global partner company. Purdue's program aims to broaden the horizons of engineering students while better preparing them for the global marketplace.

"For U.S. engineers to distinguish themselves in the global marketplace, they will need broad international exposure," Tom Malott said. "It is key to both Purdue and our students that our graduates be able to function in teams and offer innovate, interdisciplinary solutions to complex problems. It is our hope that these endowments will give Purdue mechanical engineering students the chance to enrich their educations and shine in the marketplace."

Tom Malott, who earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1962, retired as president and chief executive officer of Siemens Energy and Automation in 2000 but continues to serve as vice chairman of its board of directors and as a member on several of the company's international boards. Previously, he served as vice president of operations for Parker-Hannifin and as president and chief operating officer of the Ransburg Corp.

Malott, who holds numerous patents related to the industry, also serves on the board of the National Electrical Manufacturer's Association and the advisory board of Lutron Electronics.

In 1991 Purdue named him an Engineering Distinguished Alumnus and an Outstanding Mechanical Engineer. He has served on the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board and the Engineering Visiting Committee, and he is currently a member of the Mechanical Engineering Campaign Steering Executive Committee. He also participates on the College of Engineering Curriculum Reform Task Force, which is charged with developing a blueprint to guide engineering's curriculum design and reform.

He earned his MBA from Western Michigan University in 1969 and was honored by Purdue with an honorary doctorate of engineering administration in 2002. He holds a professional engineering licensure in Michigan.

Sandy Malott has been an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Cancer Society, driving patients to and from appointments. She also has lent her time and expertise to the American Diabetic Association and the Indiana Children's Wish Fund.

Students enrolling at Purdue in the fall will be the first to benefit from Access and Success, a campaign aimed at expanding student aid and programs.

The $304 million fund drive and internal reallocations will expand the university's student aid contribution to $77 million annually. Much of the money raised will be placed in endowments, and the endowments' earnings will be used to fund the efforts.

The university has raised more than $42 million toward the campaign goal since July 1, 2007.

Writer: Tanya Brown, (765) 494-2079, tanyabrown@purdue.edu

Sources: John Sanderson, (765) 494-9769, sanderjd@purdue.edu

Gordon Chavers, (765) 494-2730, gchavers@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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