Beloved Professor Inspires Civil Engineering Scholarship

Richard “Dick” Schwaegler, who attended Seattle University in the mid-1950s, has a lot to say. At 91 years young, the former Seattle University engineering professor has led a life of energy and activity. As a result, his stories are full of interest and flow naturally. But if you ask him what inspired a group of former students to create a scholarship in his honor, he’s at a rare loss for words.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I did to deserve this,” he says. “But I’m deeply grateful.”

One of the catalysts in creating The Richard Schwaegler Endowed Scholarship in Civil Engineering was Schwaegler’s former student, John Hooper, ’81. Hooper explains how a group of engineering alumni had the idea to honor Schwaegler with a scholarship in his name.

“It was a no-brainer,” says Hooper. “We made a few phone calls and before you knew it, the scholarship was fully funded. That’s a testament to the love that people have for this guy.”

The Richard Schwaegler Endowed Scholarship in Civil Engineering supports junior and senior SU students who meet demonstrated financial need while enrolled as civil or environmental engineering majors.

Schwaegler clearly recalls the names of his pupils from across the decades, speaking of them as “family members.” He was known for supporting students beyond the classroom, well into their careers. To these alumni, Schwaegler is a friend, mentor and teacher of many life lessons.

“I had high expectations because students needed to soak in a tremendous amount of information to be competitive,” says Schwaegler. “I always told them, ‘get as much education as you can, as early as you can and it will open doors.’”

During much of his professorial career, which spanned from 1959 to 2007, Schwaegler spent the summers working as an engineering consultant. He attributes this hands-on experience to being able to better prepare his students for their careers. Former students speak of his teaching style as going “beyond the textbook,” with more substance and meaningful exposure to real-world situations. “I think of this scholarship as an acknowledgement of the bridge we’re always building between Seattle University and the industries that our students will enter,” says Schwaegler.

“This scholarship honors Dick,” says Hooper, “but even more, it’s about recognizing and being thankful for all the ways we benefited from our time here; and it’s about giving back to help ensure the continued success of the engineering program and its students.”

This year’s recipient of The Richard Schwaegler Endowed Scholarship in Civil Engineering is Paige Stime, a civil engineering student on track to graduate this spring. Stime is grateful for how the scholarship allowed her to focus on her senior project— she’s part of a team proposing solutions to removing barriers to salmon passage in local streams. This work integrates into part of a much larger, multi-billion-dollar state project to restore and repair salmon runs throughout Western Washington.

“My goal,” says Stime, “is to become a licensed civil engineer and contribute to the enhancement of coastal infrastructure. This scholarship has helped me discover my passion for directly impacting the Puget Sound ecosystem.”

By serving as the inspiration behind the creation of a scholarship, Schwaegler, in a sense, will continue to positively impact students now and in perpetuity. For John Hooper and the many alumni who contributed to the creation of the scholarship, the goal is to build upon that legacy. 

“Our hope,” says Hooper, “is to continue growing this scholarship to the point that more and more students can benefit. We want to be a part of helping those who might not otherwise have made it.”

To learn how you can support The Richard Schwaegler Endowed Scholarship in Civil Engineering, contact Kim Cuevas.