MSU gift honors late West Point industry executive

Contact: Dale Dombrowski

A memorial scholarship being established at Mississippi State University will honor the former Babcock & Wilcox plant manager in West Point.

A $10,000 initial gift from the family of William Peterhansen Jr. is establishing the College of Engineering scholastic award. Peterhansen, who died in December, capped a 40-year B&W career as manager of the power generation equipment manufacturer's Clay County operation. He retired in 1996.

Beginning as a sweeper with B&W's Barberton, Ohio, plant, Peterhansen rose through the ranks to become manager of the 3,000-employee Barberton Works. He later supervised the company's Paris, Texas, facility.

"Education was a key value for my dad," said son Craig of Louisville, Ky. "It is fitting that this scholarship be established to support the education of a deserving engineering student."

Mark and Bill Peterhansen of Canton, Ohio, and Chicago, respectively, joined their brother in creating the memorial fund.

The William Peterhansen Jr. Memorial Scholarship is an open fund in the Mississippi State University Foundation and may be increased through additional contributions.

For more information, telephone the foundation office at (662) 325-3410.