Walter Scott Jr., namesake of the Walter Scott Jr. College of Engineering at Colorado State University, died on September 25 at the age of 90.

Scott was a CSU alumnus who graduated in 1953 and would go on to become the largest donor in CSU history, donating more than $ 64 million to the engineering school through its foundation, according to the university.

His donations were used to fund scholarships, two faculty positions and the Suzanne & Walter Scott Bioengineering building.

“We all mourn deeply the loss of one of our own, and especially the loss of Walter’s incredible vision and incomparable heart,” said CSU President Joyce McConnell. “He truly lived in a spirit of generosity and optimism that changed CSU and our world for the better – forever. He will be missed, but his legacy absolutely lives on. “

The College of Engineering was named after him in 2016.

“I just can’t say how much (Scott’s donations) impacted our programs. It has helped us attract the best and brightest students and faculty to CSU,” said David McLean. , current dean of the school. “We have a fantastic building. We have a lot of programmatic support. And it’s all due to Mr. Scott’s philanthropic interests and his donations to CSU.”

McLean described Scott as a down-to-earth man who had a vested interest in the future of CSU engineering students.

“He cared deeply for the students and gave them an education to be successful,” McLean said.

Scott received a number of CSU awards after being a student, including being named an Honorary Alumnus in 1982, receiving an Honorary Doctorate in 2003 and the William E. Morgan Alumni Achievement Award in 2014, and finally in receiving the highest award from the university. honor – the founders’ day medal – in 2018.

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Molly Bohannon covers education for Coloradoan. Follow her on Twitter @molboha or contact her at [email protected] Support his work and that of other Colorado journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.