December 13, 2005

O’Dell Increases Chemical Engineering Endowment

Dr. O'Dell (Photo: Jennifer Weston)

Dr. Francis P. (Russ) O’Dell of Raleigh has pledged $250,000 to increase the Russ O’Dell Endowment in Chemical Engineering in honor of Dr. E.E. Randolph, who was a chemical engineering professor and department head, and $150,000 to create the Francis P. O’Dell Fellowship Endowment. As part of the $400,000 gift, O’Dell will give $50,000 over five years and the remaining $350,000 will be added to the Francis P. O’Dell Charitable Remainder Unitrust.

Dr. Nino A. Masnari, dean of the College of Engineering, said of the gift, “These additional gifts are an investment in tomorrow’s engineers. We are grateful to Russ for his continued support of the College of Engineering and NC State.”

O’Dell previously established an endowment supporting two scholarships for chemical engineering students. The Russ O’Dell Outstanding Chemical Engineering Senior Scholarship is given to a top academic senior who has not yet received a substantial scholarship, and the Russ O’Dell Chemical Engineering Scholarship is a renewable award given to a top sophomore. Both scholarships emphasize participation in sports or physical education classes, a reflection of O’Dell’s days on the NC State swimming team. In addition to the two scholarships, O’Dell signed a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, valued at more than $500,000, in 2004. The gift eventually will be used to create multiple undergraduate and graduate scholarships in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

O’Dell is the director of development in chemical engineering for the NC State Engineering Foundation. He was valedictorian of his class when he graduated from NC State in 1975. He received his doctorate from NC State three years later. As a recipient of several scholarships and fellowships during his undergraduate and graduate studies, O’Dell fully understands the impact his gifts can have on future students.

The endowment is part of the university’s current fund-raising campaign, Achieve! The Campaign for NC State, and will be administered by the NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc.

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