Washington State University has added another endowed professorship to its nationally ranked School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The endowed chair is named in honor of Eugene Eschbach, a 1944 WSU graduate in electrical engineering.
“Great universities are defined by the margin of excellence that private support provides for great faculty and great students,’’ said Joseph Eschbach. “This gift demonstrates our family’s appreciation of WSU for the educations we received, and also our belief in the ongoing urgency and importance of WSU’s mission for the future. “
“The Eschbach family’s generous gift accelerates our efforts to position EECS as one of the top schools in the nation for electrical engineering and computer science by leveraging our ability to attract and retain a world-class faculty,” said Behrooz Shirazi, Huie-Rogers Chair professor and director of the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Family members who made the gift possible include Joseph Eschbach (‘77, Master of Sciences, Mechanical Engineering; ‘76, Bachelor of Arts, Economics), his wife Margaret Brandeau and his siblings Mary P. (’77, Bachelor of Sciences, Zoology), Elizabeth J. (’80, Bachelor of Sciences, Mechanical Engineering; ’82, Master of Sciences), Katie (’80, Bachelor of Arts, Economic), Genie (’82, Bachelor of Sciences, Zoology) and Peter (’85, Bachelor of Arts, Physics, 2002, Doctoral Degree, Materials Science). All Eischbach siblings are WSU alumni.
Endowed chairs are one of the key ways private resources can make significant impact on higher education. In addition to the prestige and honor of an endowed chair, the gift’s annual payouts provide support for salary, research assistance and staff support.
Eugene Eschbach recognized the importance of an education in competing in the workplace. He was born into a farming family of nine children in the Yakima area. Their home had neither running water nor electricity, but the family understood the value of education in improving lives. With an interest in science and technology, Eugene Eschbach came to WSC in 1940. He received his degree in electrical engineering, went on to graduate work at Princeton, and pursued a career as a researcher at RCA and GE research labs before settling at Battelle Labs in Richland for nearly 50 years. Eugene is now retired and living outside Portland, Ore.
Joseph Eschbach and his five siblings followed their father’s lead in coming to WSU. He did a unique, five-year program that allowed him to study both engineering and business, receiving a bachelor’s in economics and a master’s in mechanical engineering. He then studied at Cambridge University in England, where he received a Master Degree in economics. As the nation faced an energy crisis in the mid-70s, he became interested in the economics of energy. He went on to receive a doctorate in engineering-economics-systems from Stanford in 1987. Joseph Eschbach, who lives in Los Altos Hills, Calif., with his wife and three sons, continues to work with new high-tech companies bringing new products and services to market.
“I am grateful to Joe Eschbach and his family for their gift. I think Joe recognizes the critical urgency of preparing as many of our young people as possible to become the highly qualified engineers who will be tomorrow’s societal leaders and problem solvers,’’ said Candis Claiborn, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture. “His gift is a dramatic action that helps us achieve that goal.’’
“It is no surprise that Joe, Margaret, and the Eschbach family would fund a chair that will make a significant difference. They are both accustomed to the highest standards of excellence in everything they do,” said WSU President V. Lane Rawlins. “I have known Joe since he was an undergraduate student and he has always aimed for excellence. This is a truly generous gift and it will give the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science an edge in tackling 21st century problems. We are grateful for the Eschbachs’ association with WSU and for this wonderful gift.”
To find out more about the college’s initiatives that enhance the world-class, face-to-face experience, or to learn how to become involved, contact Mark Hermanson, executive director of development, WSU College of Engineering and Architecture, (509) 335-4733, herm@wsu.edu.
