By Douglas Esser
Ralph Boy has been supporting the 糖心vlog视频’s School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics since before there was a School of STEM, and he hasn’t stopped.
In 2009, Boy wrote a letter to a state higher education board to champion an electrical engineering program, which became part of the School of STEM when it was established in 2013. Boy sponsors capstone projects for engineering students. And in 2017, Boy and his wife, Doreen, started the Doreen and Ralph Boy Endowed STEM Undergraduate Scholarship.
The idea for the endowment initially is to provide 鈥済et over the hump鈥 scholarships to help students stay in school. Eventually the Boys hope to have more than $1 million in the fund to sustain full scholarships, at the discretion of the STEM dean.
In recognition of their service, philanthropy and inspiration, Chancellor Wolf Yeigh selected the Boys for the 2018 UW Bothell Legacy Award, the highest award for donors and supporters. The Boys were honored at the annual Chancellor鈥檚 Reception May 4 at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland, Washington.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just doing a small part,鈥 Doreen Boy said. Costly textbooks and unexpected bills are the kind of expenses that could force a student to miss a quarter 鈥 and not make it back, she said.
鈥淭hose are the little things that will keep you from finishing school,鈥 she said, adding their scholarship could be 鈥渢hat little extra that gets you over the hump.鈥
鈥淪ometimes, students fall short by $1,000 or $2,000,鈥 Ralph Boy said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e of humble means, but that鈥檚 actually something we can do.鈥
Boy was an electrical engineer for Boeing for 37 years, retiring in 2015. He was a technical fellow, a level selected for his knowledge, expertise and impact across the company. His work included avionics, electrical systems and designing video systems for the 747 and 767.
Very much education oriented, the Boys have 鈥渁dopted鈥 UW Bothell and encourage others to think about setting up an endowment or joining their fund.
鈥淏oth of us have found it very rewarding, working with students and staff at UW Bothell,鈥 Doreen Boy said.
鈥淚 think that when we were in a position to give back in a more generous way, we became richer,鈥 Ralph Boy said.
Julia Shagdai (electrical engineering 鈥13) was one of Boy鈥檚 capstone students. Under his mentorship, she helped develop an automatic cable tester and grew her technical skills.
鈥淗e did his best to guide us toward building the final product. He didn鈥檛 hand the answers to us. He let us explore. He let us find our own answers to the problem,鈥 she said. 鈥淎ll that time he was right next to us, watching over us.鈥
Shagdai is now an electrical engineer at Astronics, an aerospace company in Kirkland, where some interns from UW Bothell start their careers. She seconds the legacy honor for the Boys.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of anyone more deserving than they are,鈥 Shagdai said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e been great mentors, great friends throughout the years, and I鈥檓 looking forward to more of their accomplishments in the future.鈥
