Considering that arriving at Arizona State University in 1981, Emeritus Professor Thomas Schildgen prioritized university student achievement in a variety of means. Most likely the most considerable was soliciting, coordinating and establishing graphic details technological know-how scholarships. He carries on to lengthen his help today by his individual scholarship, the Dr. Thomas Schildgen Scholarship.
Schildgen retired from ASU in 2018 immediately after approximately 4 impactful a long time of support in the graphic facts technological innovation application and other locations.

“For 15 many years as the system chair, I hosted donors and worked to solicit endowed scholarships this kind of as the Renee and Arthur Horowitz Scholarship or the Sue Folger Scholarship,” he reported.
Contributions to graphic data know-how education and learning
Schildgen’s commitment to his field grew by extensive knowledge in graphic communications in excess of several decades of work at two establishments of larger education and learning. After doing work at Illinois Condition College, Schildgen arrived to ASU in 1981. He reported it was the encouragement from his friends at Illinois Condition that gave him the courage to him depart his place there and go to Arizona, realizing he would grow the most being out his comfort and ease zone.
“Thanks to the early attempts of Dr. Zeke Prust, who was a professor, division chair and director for the (then) College of Engineering at ASU, the graphic communications application at ASU had a powerful nationwide reputation,” Schildgen said. “I had the privilege of expanding the enrollment and securing national and intercontinental accreditation of the undergraduate and graduate applications.”
When the internet revolutionized the graphic info industry, the faculty started exploring how know-how could be integrated into the curriculum, as well as how it could give the application a broader reach. Inevitably, graphic communications turned one of the first on line degree applications at ASU.
“That’s when we modified the title of the diploma systems to graphic data technologies and commenced using the services of college who taught the spectrum of communications systems from electronic printing to world wide web and world-wide-web purposes,” Schildgen said. “Today, ASU has a single of the premier, if not the largest, graphic communications system in the globe with above 1,200 students enrolled on the net or on campus.”
Commencing a cycle of supplying
Establishing his very own scholarship was a “no brainer,” explained Schildgen, whose scholarship will economically assistance at the very least two college students for each year.
“It is my desire that scholarship recipients complete their degree program and safe employment so they can look at producing a donation to help the learners who were being when in their footwear,” Schildgen stated.
Katrina Hammon, a fourth-calendar year graphic details technology college student and a receiver of Schildgen’s scholarship, states she would like to donate to the scholarship fund as soon as she’s economically ready to do so.
“As a entire-time scholar and dad or mum, finances can be overwhelming. This scholarship has authorized me to focus much more on my reports and just take gain of collaborating in school clubs,” Hammon reported.
“As a university student worker for the ASU Print and Imaging Lab and as a college student graphic designer for the Fulton Educational facilities, I have been able to acquire fingers-on knowledge in the design discipline. When this encounter has been effective, it is only component time, which limits the volume of earnings I convey in every month. I am grateful for the economical assistance this scholarship has additional.”
Any incoming transfer college student or continuing scholar in the graphic details technologies method can apply for the scholarship.
“With so quite a few of our students functioning entire time although getting their degree, I deliberately stored the expected minimal GPA at 3. so students are equipped to equilibrium all of their tasks,” Schildgen stated.
In addition to fiscal assistance, Schildgen is generally readily available to his students for academic tips, “as are all of the graphic facts technological know-how faculty,” he said. He retired three yrs ago but even now writes letters of advice for the two undergraduate and graduate pupils who have to have them.
“Dr. Schildgen held his college students to the maximum benchmarks, coaching them to be at any time better in his quiet and measured way,” mentioned Erica Miles, graphic facts engineering alumna and college associate. “He experienced an impact on my foreseeable future in a large amount of approaches, and he is 100% accountable for my ongoing involvement with ASU as a college associate training the introduction to professional print class. I am thrilled that he proceeds to effects the lives of learners by means of his scholarship fund.”
Schildgen was Miles’ mentor as she accomplished her senior job, as nicely as the chair of her graduate supervisory committee when she was a master’s application college student.
“In addition to enjoying a crucial part for both equally of my capstone tasks, Dr. Schildgen leads by illustration as a lifelong learner in the print field,” Miles explained. “He was frequently exploring and educating the newest print systems. The initially time I listened to the phrase ‘bleeding edge,’ no pun meant, might have been from him.”
Inspiring long run designers
Close to the stop of his career, Schildgen was elected president of the ASU College Senate and chair of the College Educational Council, enabling him to function with ASU President Michael Crow to progress the institution’s mission throughout all campuses.
“The graphics discipline was my passion through my profession, and I hope to inspire younger designers and communicators to pursue management professions in this satisfying market,” Schilden reported. “If this scholarship can support and encourage the profession of a potential Sun Devil, my aim will be attained.”
Any person fascinated in providing to the Dr. Thomas Schildgen Scholarship fund can take a look at the ASU Foundation site. Pupils might use as a result of the typical scholarship at fultonapps.asu.edu/scholarship (ASURITE login essential).
For much more facts on offering to ASU, make contact with Assistant Director of Progress Jennifer Williams.
More Stories
How Information Technology Enhances Everyday Life
Information Technology Skills Every Professional Needs
Transform Your Life with Information Technology