INDIANAPOLIS – RQAW, an Indianapolis-based engineering and architecture services firm, has committed $100,000 to establish the RQAW Civil Engineering Endowed Scholarship at Indiana State University. The gift advances the company’s commitment to building the pipeline of professional engineers in the state of Indiana. 

“Currently, there is a real shortage of professional engineers in the state of Indiana, not just at RQAW but with companies all over the state,” said Troy Woodruff, RQAW President and CEO.  “We must be producing not only highly-skilled engineers, but we need to keep them in the state of Indiana.”

RQAW specializes in services relating to architecture, engineering, construction inspection, transportation, environmental services, and water infrastructure.

The RQAW Civil Engineering Endowed Scholarship will be available to ISU students studying civil engineering technology and engineering with civil concentration beginning with the 2022-23 academic year. Recipients of the scholarship will have the opportunity to interview for internships with RQAW.

“RQAW recognizes we need to do more to advance STEM in Indiana,” Woodruff said. “Indiana State University is perfectly positioned to help meet that need by identifying, training, and graduating students who are highly skilled engineers. ISU is a key piece to help solve this shortage not just for us, but for the greater workforce in Indiana.”

In recognition of RQAW’s gift, ISU’s Board of Trustees approved the naming of the RQAW Engineering Classroom in the Myers Technology Center.

“Indiana State University is committed to educating a skilled pipeline of talent for the state’s workforce needs,” President Deborah J. Curtis said. “RQAW employs ISU graduates and now the company’s generous gift will advance opportunities for our students to become civil engineers.”

Woodruff is a 1998 graduate of Indiana State with a degree in communications studies and a minor in marketing. He credits the class sizes and connection among students, faculty and staff in helping him achieve his career goals.

“Indiana State University is a place that is very important to me,” Woodruff said. “It was the place that prepared me for my professional career. If I can give back and help pay it forward to those students like me that will thrive in this type of environment, then I want to help with that.”

Said Andrea Angel, Vice President of University Advancement and CEO of the ISU Foundation: “We are incredibly thankful to RQAW’s bold support of scholarships for Indiana State students pursuing degrees in engineering. Their vision for this scholarship directly aligns with our university’s mission, and we are proud to partner with them to give deserving students a head start to their futures.”