Suh tours College of Engineering with first scholarship recipient

Ndamukong Suh (left) with Matthew Stier. With them are Eddy Rojas, director of UNL's Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, and Engineering Dean Tim Wei.
Ndamukong Suh (left) with Matthew Stier. With them are Eddy Rojas, director of UNL's Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, and Engineering Dean Tim Wei.

Former Husker and current Detroit Lions standout Ndamukong Suh, a graduate of the UNL College of Engineering, has announced that Matthew Stier of Blair would be the first recipient of the scholarship Suh established with the college in 2010.

The feeling is “awesome,” Stier said. He graduated May 19 from Blair High School and will begin studies at UNL this August in the Construction Management program. Suh also majored in construction management during his time at the university.

Being awarded the Suh Scholarship was very exciting, Stier said.

“I’ve always been interested in engineering and I chose to study construction management at UNL because of the hands-on learning,” he said.

On May 18, Suh accompanied Stier and his family on tours of the UNL engineering buildings, Memorial Stadium and other campus locations. They ended the day with a reception hosted by the Suh Family Foundation at Lincoln’s Lied Center for the Performing Arts. At the reception, Suh introduced Stier to guests that included representatives of Husker Athletics and the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction.

“My hope for Matthew is that he runs with this opportunity and enjoys his experience at UNL,” Suh said.

The Ndamukong Suh Scholarship provides $10,000 for an aspiring engineer to study at UNL. Before becoming the second overall pick in the 2010 National Football League draft, Suh pledged a $2.6 million gift to UNL, with $600,000 dedicated to start an endowment fund to support the dreams of future engineers.

As a UNL student, Suh was a scholarship recipient and said he valued the positive influence of his experience.

Suh has extended his philanthropy by helping Detroit’s inner city youth with a focus on education, health and wellness. He has provided supply-filled backpacks, visited students in multiple schools and made hospital visits in the community.

He also has offered support in his parents’ homelands of Jamaica and Cameroon, including the adoption of a school.

-- Carole Wilbeck, College of Engineering