WCU Stories      September 4, 2024

By Bill Studenc

A retired engineer who got started on his career path at Western Carolina University decades before the institution launched its own engineering degree has established a new scholarship to provide financial support to future students in the program.

Larry M. Saddler, a former resident of Cullowhee whose parents both served as faculty members at WCU, said he created the scholarship fund to help students be able to pursue their engineering degrees at the same school where they take required and elective classes – something he was unable to do.

Made possible by gifts and pledges from Saddler totaling $28,000, the Larry M. Saddler Endowed Scholarship will support juniors and seniors in the engineering program, with preference for students from North Carolina and special consideration to those with significant financial need.

Saddler moved to Cullowhee in 1973 with his parents, who had become professors at WCU. He is a 1977 graduate of Cullowhee High School and attended WCU for two years before transferring to Clemson University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1981.

Saddler enjoyed a 40-year career with ExxonMobil Corp., traveling globally and reaching the title of senior principal heat transfer and combustion engineer before his retirement in 2021. He currently resides in Kemah, Texas.

Although he knew he wanted to study engineering, there was no program at WCU when Saddler began his college career, and he said it would have been too expensive to attend an engineering school for the entire four-year program. As nontraditional college students, his parents had attained their degrees after having children and were still paying off their own educational expenses at the time.

Saddler said those circumstances made it necessary to complete all mathematics, science, English courses and electives at WCU in only two years and to finish the entire engineering program at Clemson in two years as well.

“This was quite taxing, taking a courseload of 18 hours each semester while working part-time, leaving little time to experience the other important aspects of a university environment,” he said.

“I hope that this scholarship will ease the financial burden for the recipients and enable them to focus on their studies, student life and the wonderful outdoor activities available in Western North Carolina. Because of my intense schedule and working, I was not able to enjoy those things very much during my college days.”

Saddler has been managing two WCU scholarships established in honor of his parents and has followed the establishment and development of the College of Engineering and Technology.

“I have been impressed by its success and continued growth,” he said. “I also am very appreciative of the dedicated professors who helped provide a strong academic base during my time at WCU, which served me well during further education and my working career. That’s why I want to give back and help future students pursue their degrees with the continuity of being at the same school and to be able to enjoy the unique experiences available at WCU.”

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors in 2012 authorized WCU to offer the bachelor of science degree in engineering, a strategic step in university efforts to help meet the needs of WNC business and industry. That new stand-alone program spun off from an existing bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering offered jointly with UNC Charlotte since 2004.

After identifying expansion of its engineering programs as its top legislative priority, WCU received $95.3 million for a new engineering building from the North Carolina General Assembly in the 2023-2025 biennial state budget and another $3.5 million in recurring funds to expand programming in the College of Engineering and Technology.

The new scholarship fund will provide financial assistance to students attracted to WCU by the expanded program offerings, said Randy Collins, dean of the College of Education and Technology.

“WCU is expanding our engineering programs in response to demands for high-quality engineering talent,” Collins said. “Students don’t have to move across the state or to another state to earn a coveted engineering degree. Mr. Sadler is keenly aware of this expanded opportunity at WCU and the impact it will have on the lives and careers of our students. Mr. Sadler’s gift will enable students to start and complete a rigorous engineering program, right here at WCU.”

In addition to showing his appreciation for his time as a WCU student, Saddler said he also established the new scholarship for engineering students as a tribute to his father and mother.

“I chose to fund this scholarship to honor my parents’ and their dedication to WCU and education in general. I was fortunate enough to be professionally and financially successful, and it is their example that inspired me,” he said.

His mother, Yvonne Saddler, was a first-generation college student supported by scholarships. She went on to have a 25-year career as a faculty member in communication sciences and disorders at WCU. The Yvonne N. Saddler Memorial Scholarship for graduate students majoring in communication sciences and disorders was established after her retirement in 1998.

His father, Daniel Saddler, also a first-generation college student, was a faculty member and counselor educator at WCU for 17 years. The Daniel L. Saddler Memorial Scholarship for graduate students in counseling was established in 1989 through donations from family, friends and colleagues after his death following a battle with cancer.

The two scholarships in honor of his parents have received more than $200,000 in contributions, including employer matching donations, since they were established. A total of 22 students have received more than $27,000 in scholarship support from the two funds over the past 10 years alone.

Establishment of the Larry M. Saddler Endowed Scholarship comes as WCU approaches the public launch of its “Fill the Western Sky” comprehensive fundraising campaign, an effort to raise a minimum of $75 million for the university’s academic, student engagement and athletics programs.

For more information about the “Fill the Western Sky” campaign or to make a contribution, visit WesternSky.wcu.edu, call 828-227-7124 or email advancement@wcu.edu.