Lawrence J. and Margaret J. Fritz Undergraduate Scholarship

Members of the Fritz family established this monetary award in 1997 to honor Lawrence J. Fritz, BS 1951. A World War II Marine Corps veteran, Mr. Fritz attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on the GI Bill and was grateful for the opportunity to receive an education from the Department. The Fritz family wishes to help deserving students earn their degrees in civil engineering.

Early in his career, Mr. Fritz worked for Heckett Engineering, a Harsco company and global leader in metal reclamation and mill services for the steel industry. In 1964, he started his own steel fabricating business in the Chicago area. He was president of the business until his death in 1979.

Upon Mr. Fritz’s untimely passing at age 53, Mrs. Margaret J. Fritz finished raising their four children. Unwaveringly devoted to her children and preserving Mr. Fritz’s legacy, Mrs. Fritz encouraged and helped support all her children through college (one to University of Illinois). Inspired by both parents’ commitment to education, all four Fritz children went on to earn Graduate Degrees. In fact, the Fritz children established this scholarship as a birthday gift to their mother, who was proud to honor her husband this way. She generously supported this University of Illinois scholarship; and upon her death in 2011, this award was lovingly renamed The Lawrence J. and Margaret J. Fritz Undergraduate Scholarship.

The award will be given in two equal payments: one during Fall semester, one during Spring semester.

Past recipients:

2013     Katherine Matthews

2012     John Berg

2011     Joseph P. Zeller

2010     Steven U. Gresk

2009     Peter D. Faletti and Jared G. Thoele

2008     Michael G. Martin

2007     Joseph J. Blecha

2006     Thomas J. Janicke