Richard T and Bonnie L. Jacobsen Engineering Assistantship

The Richard T and Bonnie L. Jacobsen Scholars in Engineering Endowment is established in honor of the significant contributions to engineering achievement, leadership, engineering education and service to the profession and society by Professor Richard Jacobsen, retired dean of the College of Engineering, University of Idaho and past president and member of the U of I Academy of Engineers.

Undergraduate Assistantship Details

Award Amount: variable

The Richard T and Bonnie L. Jacobsen Engineering Assistantship will be awarded to support undergraduate engineering students who are engaged in research as participants of the college’s Grand Challenge Scholars Program. Jacobsen Scholars will gain valuable mentoring project management and research experience. In honor of Dr. Jacobsen’s engineering discipline, preference will be given to Mechanical Engineering students.

Award Requirements

Undergraduate students receiving this award must meet the following qualifications:

• Work with individual professors, assisting in faculty-driven scholarly projects thus gaining crucial experience in the methods of original research.
• Engage in research projects in any engineering discipline that involve direct student/faculty interaction and offer learning opportunities not available through conventional classroom instruction
• Participate in activities as part of the Grand Challenge Scholars Program.

About Richard “Jake” Jacobsen

In honor of a past U of I College of Engineering alumnus, professor, chair and dean

“I have truly never had a job I didn’t like. The changing atmosphere in the engineering profession has provided challenges and opportunities over these many years. The most significant reward of my academic career has been helping young people prepare for professional careers in engineering practice.” Jake

Richard Jacobsen (affectionately known as ‘Jake’), former dean of the University of Idaho College of Engineering, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2019. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the U of I in 1963 and a Master of Science in 1965. After completing his doctorate, he joined the U of I faculty and climbed through the academic ranks to professor, chair of the mechanical engineering department, associate dean of research, and later, dean of the College of Engineering from 1990-99.

While at the U of I, he was responsible for more than $12 million in grants and contracts. Most of the awards were for research on thermophysical properties for a wide range of fluids and mixtures. Having enjoyed a distinguished career, his most important priority was his role as a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend.