Deferred Gift has Lasting Impact on Engineering Students

Few scholarships at Iowa State University have had the type of impact on campus that the new Lyle J. and Marcia L. Higgins Engineering Scholarship Fund has had on engineering students.

During the 2008-09 academic year alone, more than 90 aerospace, agricultural, chemical, civil, computer, construction, electrical, industrial, materials, and mechanical engineering students received the Higgins Engineering Scholarship.

Recipients of the Lyle J. and Marcia L. Higgins Engineering Scholarship

The scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 per student and were awarded based upon financial need and academic merit. Recipients may renew the scholarships upon reapplication and continued compliance with the stated criteria.

"The total amount the college awarded through the Higgins Engineering Scholarships represents just over six percent of the total scholarship awards that the College of Engineering distributes to its undergraduate students," said Diane Rover, associate dean for academic and student affairs. "A gift of this size can make a significant impact on our scholarship program."

Lyle and Marcia Higgins established the scholarship through a bequest. Upon Marcia’s death in 2003, a credit shelter trust was established to benefit College of Engineering students. When Lyle, a 1957 industrial engineering graduate of Iowa State, passed away in 2006, the proceeds from his estate/bequest also went into the general scholarship, creating a $2.6 million endowment.

"I just received the annual endowment activity report (for this scholarship) the other day and saw that more than 90 students were awarded scholarships this year!" said Scott Higgins, the couple’s nephew. "I know that is exactly the impact Lyle and Marcia were hoping to have, and it’s a great feeling for me to see it happen."

It’s also a great feeling for the 90 engineering students who received the scholarship, including Alex Clemons.

"I hadn’t considered attending a school outside of my home state of Minnesota, but I fell in love with Iowa State and Ames when I visited," said the junior majoring in industrial engineering. "If it weren’t for scholarships like the Higgins Engineering Scholarship, I would not have be able to attend Iowa State.

"I know that the overall experience I’m having here is invaluable and I can’t stress enough how grateful I am for the donors that made it possible."

Joel Johnson, director of student programs and services in the College of Engineering, agrees.

"It’s exciting to have the opportunity to make such a difference in so many students’ lives," he said.

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