Watkinses Establish Scholarship and Will Endow It with Estate-Plan Gift
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Maurice Watkins (MET ’68, Ph.D. ’73) likes to quote a line from his dad's favorite gospel song, performed by Mahalia Jackson: "If I can help somebody as I travel along, then my living will not be in vain."
Born and raised in East Chicago, Watkins recalls that his father never let his limited financial resources prohibit his ability to help someone in need. "That was the environment I grew up in," he says, "and I endeavor to continue my father's legacy."
Watkins and his wife Joyce have established a scholarship that provides financial assistance to deserving Chicago Public Schools students through the Collens Scholarship Program, and they are also endowing it in their estate plan. Watkins credits his Illinois Tech education for his long and rewarding career as a technical advisor at ExxonMobil.
"I was better prepared than my industry peers to do research, thanks to Illinois Tech. I had the most fun while learning to think critically and focusing on fundamental science. Graduate school was the best time of my life," Watkins says.
He continues, "As a student, I received scholarships and a graduate school fellowship. When I was made aware of the scholarship needs for current students, I wanted to help. Why not do something while I can see the benefits?"
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