Lowrie Family Donates $17 million to Ohio State Engineering
While individuals, businesses and universities are struggling through the economic downturn, an engineering alumnus is providing a financial boost to the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
The department celebrated a $17 million gift commitment from Ernestine and William G. Lowrie, a 1966 graduate who attributes much of his success to his Ohio State education.
The college officially commemorated the commitment, the largest made by an individual donor to engineering at the university, Feb. 6 with an unveiling ceremony, luncheon and reception with more than 200 students and faculty members.
In recognition of the gift, the Ohio State University Board of Trustees approved the naming of the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering to be housed in the new Koffolt Laboratories building, scheduled for completion in 2014. The building will replace the current Koffolt Laboratories and will retain its name to honor Koffolt.
The gift will endow construction and support of a new laboratory facility, create the H.C.“Slip” Slider Professorship for an untenured faculty member in chemical and biomolecular engineering, establish an endowed chair and provide an endowment to support initiatives in education and research.
Lowrie told reception attendees he is humbled to find himself in a position where he can give back in a meaningful way.
“I wanted to move on it now, regardless of what is going on in the economy,” said Lowrie, a retired oil company executive, “so that I could see it happen and partially repay the university and the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering for the huge impact they have had on my lifeand the lives of so many others.”
Stuart Cooper, department chair, advised students to take inspiration from Lowrie.
“Who is Bill Lowrie? He’s just like one of you, but maybe a generation before. He came and chose chemical engineering at the time, and he became quite successful in his career. In maybe 30 years, some of you will be here with a success story,” said Cooper.
Carol Udoh, a graduating senior in chemical and biomolecular engineering, said she and her fellow students could learn from Lowrie’s example.
“What we should do once we achieve our success is help others achieve the same success. And that is exactly what Bill Lowrie is doing with his generous donation,” Udoh said during her speech at the reception.
Lowrie, a native of Painesville, Ohio, had a major role in increasing oil production and advancing oil drilling technology. He spent his entire 33-year career with Amoco, working his way up through the company and becoming president in 1995. In 1998, when the company merged with BP, he served as deputy CEO of BP Amoco until his retirement in 1999.
His many contributions to the College of Engineering have been recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus and Texnikoi Outstanding Alumnus awards as well as the Benjamin G. Lamme Meritorious Achievement Medal, the college’s highest honor. In 2005, the university commended his years as chair and volunteer to the Ohio State University Foundation with the Everett D. Reese Medal.
In 2008, Lowrie received the Alumni Medalist Award, the highest honor accorded by the Ohio State University Alumni Association, given to those who have gained national or international distinction as outstanding representatives of a chosen field or profession and who have brought extraordinary credit to the university and significant benefit to humankind.
“It all starts with education,” said Lowrie. “If you don’t get the education and aren’t prepared, you’ve got a bigger hill to climb.”
