The Piwetz Family Construction Management Scholarship Endowment, established in the spring of 2016 for the College of Technology by Mike and Mary Jo Piwetz, is a need - based $50,000 endowed scholarship that will provide financial assistance annually to a full time student, in good academic standing and majoring in the process and industrial track in construction management.
"We are deeply grateful to Mike and his family for establishing the endowment. Mike Piwetz has a long history of supporting the College of Technology," said Dr. Neil Eldin, Interim Dean of the College of Technology. While working as Vice President of Process Engineering at Fluor, Mike served for a number of years as a member of the dean's advisory board. "The fact that he is now giving his personal funds to support scholarships in construction management is a testament to how much he believes in the program. Not only is this a wonderful gift to the college and the students who will benefit from the endowment, but it also creates an enduring legacy to a great UH family," Dr. Eldin said.
The legacy began when the country had just emerged victorious from World War II. A recipient of the French Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honor), Florian Piwetz had served in the United States Army Air Corps. He was among the many returning veterans who flocked to UH during a time of rapid growth. Florian married his wife, Effie, while studying Industrial Engineering at UH and the couple had their first child, Jacqueline, while living on the UH campus, later followed by the births of their other children; Janis, Mike, Mark, and Martin. Four of their five children attended UH with Mike Piwetz ('73) and Martin Piwetz ('82) graduating from the Cullen College of Engineering. Mike met his future wife, Mary Jo, at UH's Agnes Arnold Hall in a history class and they were married in the University of Houston A.D. Bruce Chapel in 1972. Martin met his wife Mary ('83) at UH as well.
"There are career limitations without a degree [in the construction industry]. Our hope is to improve the likelihood for career advancement for deserving students and give them more opportunities to be successful," said Mike Piwetz.
Scholarships will be awarded this fall for the academic year 2016 - 2017. If you would like to know more about the Piwetz Family Construction Management Scholarship Endowment or how to apply for it in the fall, contact Vernon King, Director of Advancement at 713-743-4886.