Philanthropic support helps open doors for students across the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, particularly those who may not otherwise have access to higher education. These possibilities are fueled by the donors who invest in students and pour back into the communities that shaped them.
At the 2026 Donor Appreciation Breakfast held in February, the Fulton Schools invited donors to meet, mingle and connect with the community and students they support. The gathering served as an annual moment of gratitude and a reminder that sustained and transformational giving compounds over time, shaping the future of engineering education and research.
Fulton Schools Executive Director of Development Kati Martinez says these moments are part of what sustain the funding, enthusiasm and opportunity at ASU.
“When people give back in a way that impacts what they truly care about and aligns with their values and the Fulton Schools’ values, that is where you see the magic happen,” she says.
Creating opportunities for students to engage fully
For many students, especially those who are first-generation college students or who demonstrate high financial need, scholarships are more than financial support. They make it possible to truly participate in the college experience.
“Without scholarship support, some students wouldn’t be able to get their engineering degree,” Martinez says. “They’d have to work multiple jobs and not have the time to spend on the co-curricular activities that define the Fulton Schools community like student organizations and undergraduate research opportunities.”
Engineering education at ASU extends well beyond the classroom. Students can participate on design teams that compete nationally, conduct research in labs where they publish alongside faculty, and take on leadership roles that prepare them to manage complex projects. Scholarships allow students to pursue those experiences rather than choose between tuition and a second shift at work.
“Often for students, knowing that someone believes in them enough to give them a scholarship is incredibly motivating and helps them persist to graduation,” says Martinez .
Pratham Hegde, a first-generation international student studying computer science, made the most of the four-year scholarship he received at ASU.
“The New American University Scholarship opened a whole new career pathway for me to do a lot more networking with faculty members and recruiters,” Hegde says. “Because of that, I was able to fast-track my degrees and complete my undergrad and master’s degrees in four years.”
Emeritus Professor Thomas Schildgen, a longtime donor who taught at The Polytechnic School, part of the Fulton Schools, has seen that motivation firsthand. He recalls frequently searching for scholarship support on behalf of his students during his time as an active professor.
“If you give students a start, they usually run with it,” Schildgen says. “Nothing succeeds in higher education without the belief in success itself.”
Giving back to the communities that shaped them
Many donors trace their commitment to deeply personal moments on campus.
For Wayne Headrick, an industrial and management systems engineering alumnus, scholarship support from the Air Force made his own education possible. Looking back, he sees his time at ASU as pivotal for his professional and personal growth.
“I remember walking into that first day of class — maybe January of ’73 — and sitting down next to a girl in the front row who would later become my wife,” Headrick recalls. “Everything in my life has been the result of small moments at ASU.”
Those moments influenced his and his wife’s decision years later to establish a scholarship supporting veteran students whose educational paths may mirror Headrick’s path.
“You mold them, you teach them, you give them the resources they need,” Headrick says. “You give them the background they need in this process called education. Then they go on to become who they’re meant to be.”
Other Fulton Schools donors share similar motivations.
Jon Filreis, a longtime community volunteer in STEM outreach, reiterates the impact of sustained giving.
“I’ve worked with a lot of students who had the intelligence and interest to get a technical degree but lacked the resources to do so,” says Filreis. “They just need extra support.”
Building the future workforce
For the various industry partners who also support student scholarships, the value of that investment compounds as it helps prepare the next generation of engineers for the workforce.
Andrew Augenstein, an electrical engineering alumnus who graduated in 2003 and began working at Boeing in 2004, now helps strengthen the longstanding relationship between Boeing and ASU.
“I got involved as a way to sort of pay it forward in a way that matters,” says Augenstein. “Boeing gives opportunities beyond the financial. We provide holistic support for capstone projects and internships that add value to the student experience and get them closer to the opportunities and future they want. If the right place ends up being Boeing, that’s great.”
These partnerships prepare students to transition seamlessly from classroom to career. Industry-supported capstone projects, internships and mentorships expose students to real-world challenges while giving companies early access to emerging talent. The result is a harmonious cycle of workforce-ready students graduating and employers gaining engineers who are equipped to lead.
Aerospace engineering junior Ysabella McAliffe says those experiences helped her gain confidence as she prepares for an engineering career.
“It can be really intimidating trying to get your foot in the door as a younger student getting industry experience,” says McAliffe, who received the New American University Recognition Scholarship awardee. “When you’re part of a club or research lab, you’re going to meet people who want to help you because they see that you’re passionate about it. My involvement on campus led to me getting an internship last summer and getting to work with real engineers, which helped me become a lot more confident.”
Support from individuals, corporations and foundations helps the Fulton Schools make long-term plans in programs that benefit students. Initiatives like the Fulton Difference Fund gives school leaders the flexibility to respond to urgent needs and emerging opportunities while keeping students at the center of every decision.
A shared future
At its heart, the annual Donor Appreciation Breakfast reflects the collective impact of a community that chooses to invest in the future. Each gift, no matter its size, help expand opportunities for students, shaping graduates who are confident, capable and ready to meet the world’s most complex challenges.
Together, students, industry partners, faculty members, donors and alumni are working together to change futures by empowering the innovators, leaders and problem-solvers to build a stronger, more resilient and more compassionate world.
