Scholarship honors past Burns & McDonnell president Newton A. Campbell
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Foundation and the School of Computing and Engineering are pleased to announce and acknowledge an endowed scholarship gift to the School of Computing and Engineering. Kansas City, Mo.-based engineering firm Burns & McDonnell created the Newton A. Campbell Engineering Excellence Scholarship in honor of Mr. Newton A. “Newt” Campbell – the firm’s fourth president. The Burns & McDonnell Foundation is donating $100,000 to establish the scholarship and has pledged to donate an additional $150,000 over the next five years.
Mr. Campbell earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1949 and an MBA from the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration in 1970. Since 2008, he has served as executive engineer in residence and volunteer at the School of Computing and Engineering. He works with School of Computing and Engineering Dean Kevin Truman in promoting the School and engaging the Kansas City engineering community.
“The UMKC School of Computing and Engineering is very grateful to Burns & McDonnell for providing the Newton A. Campbell Engineering Excellence Scholarship,” Dean Truman said. “Mr. Campbell made Burns & McDonnell one of the most successful employee-owned engineering firms in the country, and now his scholarship will help future engineers succeed.”
Mr. Campbell also serves on the UMKC Trustees Board and has served on the Provost’s Committee for Science & Technology, Bloch Advisory Board, Bloch Dean’s Circle Board, Bloch Endowment Committee and Bloch Human Resources Advisory Board. He has received the Henry and Marion Bloch Community Service Award, UM System Presidential Citation Service Award and Bloch Alumni Achievement Award.
After joining Burns & McDonnell in 1952, Mr. Campbell began building a foundation that has made the firm one of the most successful in the engineering industry. In 1976, he became manager of the firm’s Power Division. Six years later – in 1982 – he was named Burns & McDonnell’s fourth president.
In 1986, Mr. Campbell helped orchestrate a successful employee buyout of Burns & McDonnell from corporate parent Armco Steel. This built a foundation that has served as a model for employee ownership throughout the engineering industry. Following the buyout, he continued to serve as chairman and CEO until his retirement in 1993.
Today, the 3,000 employees of Burns & McDonnell owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. Campbell. His vision and perseverance have helped Burns & McDonnell succeed as a firm in which every employee is an owner.
About the Burns & McDonnell Foundation
The Burns & McDonnell Foundation is a key component of the firm’s longstanding commitment to improve the quality of life through: educational outreach supporting careers in engineering and technology; human services to combat societal issues ranging from poverty and homelessness to domestic violence and hunger; environmentally responsible practices; and support for the arts and cultural enrichment. In addition Burns & McDonnell encourages and supports volunteer efforts by employee-owners in support of projects and causes that support our communities. Burns & McDonnell provides engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting services to clients throughout North America and abroad. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100 percent employee-owned.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience.