Douglas ’83 and Trish Shidler have established the Shidler Scholarship for Engineering.
The scholarship will target full-time undergraduate engineering students who maintain good academic standing and are in need of financial support. Summarizing his family’s philosophy, Douglas says,“There is a time to learn, a time to earn, and then a time to return throughout our lives.”
The Shidler Scholarship for Engineering is emblematic of the family’s commitment to nurturing students as they strive to earn an engineering education, explains Douglas, vice president for Marine Corps Programs at Sikorsky Aircraft. The seed for an engineering scholarship was planted five years ago, when Douglas co-founded the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) robotics program at Cheshire High School. The FIRST Robotics Competition challenges students to build a robot and compete against teams from other high schools around the nation.
“Benefactors of a good engineering education need to take the next important step of engaging high school kids in technology, science and math so they are inclined to pursue careers in these areas. As a country, we need to fuel the STEM [science, technology, engineering and math] pipeline very early to secure our national competitiveness,” says Douglas.
Douglas was honored by the School of Engineering in 2006, when he was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Engineers for his exceptional career achievements and community outreach.
To support the School of Engineering, please contact Brian Otis, Vice President for Development, at 860-486-5960.
