Scholarship to support engineering opportunities in developing countries
Wednesday, October 3, 2012

A recent gift from Dean and Tammy Oskvig of Stilwell, Kan., to the University of Iowa Foundation will establish the Oskvig Global Engineering Scholarship within the UI College of Engineering.

Tammy and Dean Oskvig
Tammy and Dean Oskvig

The endowed gift will support one or more annual scholarships for engineering students interested in serving communities in developing countries through work in energy and/or water for a meaningful part of their professional career.

"Dean and Tammy Oskvig's continued investment in the future of the college enables us to continue to improve the quality of our programs and keep the University of Iowa a leader in engineering education," says Alec B. Scranton, dean of the College of Engineering. "The ‘global’ focus of the scholarship sends a clear signal to our students that their studies can ultimately lead to accomplishments with a world-wide impact."

Born and raised in north-central Iowa, Dean and Tammy Oskvig have been involved in nonprofit leadership positions, helping to provide health, education, and social development services in 11 countries. Dean Oskvig, who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the UI in 1972 and now serves as president and C.E.O. of Black & Veatch Energy, has been involved in projects and business management and leadership around the globe, including developing countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America.

The Oskvigs said they hope that recipients of the newly established scholarship will feel the same satisfaction that they have in raising the quality of life in developing communities. Any of the nearly 1,700 undergraduate students enrolled in the UI College of Engineering are eligible for scholarship consideration.

The UI acknowledges the UI Foundation as the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information, visit www.uifoundation.org.