Robert C. MacClinchie Scholarship

Established 1985

Robert C. MacClinchie, a 1932 graduate of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Kathryn Schaeffer MacClinchie, a 1931 graduate in Education, both worked as educators during the latter parts of their careers. When asked about his career, Mr. MacClinchie said: "I think that I was fortunate to do some engineering (rural electrification), and to have had some responsibility with big organizations (the Pentagon comptroller and an embassy), and to pursue a second career in teaching (which was the most satisfying)." The MacClinchies never lost their interest in the world around them, even after they retired.

The scholarship was set up by the MacClinchies to share some of their good fortune with others. As teachers, they found great joy in sharing with young students and watching young minds grow and mature while finding their place in the world. Mr. and Mrs. MacClinchie, having no children of their own, enjoyed corresponding with the young scholars in order to keep up on current happenings in the area of electrical engineering and the interests of the young people of today. Many of the recipients continued to correspond with and visit the MacClinchies long after graduation.

Kathryn MacClinchie passed away in 1998 and Robert MacClinchie passed away in 1999. The scholarship continues in their memory.

Description:

The Robert C. MacClinchie Scholarship was set up by the MacClinchies to support a senior in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for his/her final year of school.

Requirements:

1. You must be a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, enrolled in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
2. The scholarship will be awarded based upon academic merit through the student's junior year and issued during the student's senior year. Consideration will also be given to the financial need of each candidate.
3. The student should be active in campus groups, both as a leader and a participant.
4. All candidates must have maintained a cumulative grade point average exceeding 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Selection Process:

The MacClinchie Scholarship is one of four awards in the Department for Juniors. Applications for the award may be submitted online beginning in January of each year. The top candidates are interviewed by a committee consisting of three faculty members and two undergraduate students.

Award

The recipient(s) will be recognized during an annual Student Awards Banquet. All student recipients are featured on the second floor of the ECE Building's Student Honors Wall. 

Past Recipients of the Award