Family establishes scholarship in memory of Clemson engineering alumnus

Published: October 31, 2011

CLEMSON — A $100,000 gift from his family will provide for a scholarship in honor of a Clemson University alumnus who died last year.

The Robert D. Wilroy Jr. Memorial Scholarship in Chemical Engineering will be given to undergraduate students in the department from which Wilroy graduated in 1981. The scholarship fund is established by his parents, Robert David Wilroy Sr. and Marian Cocke Wilroy of Columbia.

In a career spanning nearly three decades, Wilroy specialized in process design and cost estimating in the chemical and pulp and paper industries. As an employee of J.E. Sirrine Engineers, later Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., he worked on numerous major pulp and paper plants throughout the Southeast, as well as in Maine, Michigan and New Mexico. At the time of his death on Nov. 2, 2010, Wilroy was employed by Jacobs in Greenville.

"As his colleagues can attest, Bob was always willing to listen and help others, and he had a passion for helping young engineers develop their careers," said Robert Wilroy Sr. "We are gratified that young engineers will continue to benefit from the scholarship that bears his name."

The Robert D. Wilroy Jr. Memorial Scholarship will provide assistance to South Carolina residents in Clemson's chemical and biomolecular engineering department.

Chemical and biomolecular engineering combines study in four important areas — chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics — while focusing on the engineering and processing of materials. Graduates of the department pursue a range of careers, from advanced materials and biofuels to environmental industries and medicine.

More than 150 undergraduate students at Clemson major in chemical engineering; about a quarter pursue graduate or professional degrees.

"Bob made a significant contribution to the lives of others in his field,” said Wilroy's sister, Jane Wilroy Trinkley of Columbia. "We hope others will help us keep that momentum going for a long, long time to assist as many future engineers as possible."

A 1975 Wade Hampton High School graduate, Wilroy earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Clemson and was a licensed professional engineer in South Carolina. He also was an avid sailor and member of the Western Carolina Sailing Club.

This gift is part of Clemson's The Will to Lead capital campaign to raise $600 million to support students and faculty with scholarships, professorships, facilities, technology and enhanced opportunities for learning and research.

Contributions to the fund can be made to the Clemson University Foundation for the Robert Wilroy Endowment in the care of Brandy Page, Office for Development, 110 Daniel Drive, Clemson, S.C. 29631.

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