Annie Champa, widow of alumnus Bernard “Bernie” Champa, BSME ’60, describes her late husband as a “short-sleeve engineer,” meaning he was a hands-on sort of professional. A 42-year employee of TRW Inc., Bernie epitomized what the Washkewicz College of Engineering has always been about: graduating Ready-To-Go engineers by offering practical, hands-on learning experiences that help students succeed as professionals in the field.
Bernie passed away in 2010 at the age of 88. To honor him and continue the legacy of job-ready engineering graduates, Annie established an endowed fund in the Washkewicz College of Engineering using a unique vehicle – her Certificate of Deposit, with the Cleveland State University Foundation as the account’s primary beneficiary. The Annie and Bernard Champa Engineering Scholarship Fund provides tuition support for engineering students.
A long-time teacher in the Cleveland schools, Annie believes everyone is unique and has a special talent. With this endowment, she is supporting the promise in CSU students by providing financial assistance to help them achieve their educational goals.