Whiting School National Advisory Council member Dr. Walter L. Robb challenges donors to join him in funding graduate fellowships for engineering’s future leaders.

Dr. Walter L. Robb has issued a challenge to Whiting School of Engineering alumni, leaders, and friends to join him in supporting graduate students at the School. Robb’s gift of $500,000 will match contributions of $50,000 or more designated for the establishment of Engineering fellowships.

People are surprised to learn that Walt Robb is not a Hopkins alumnus, as he is a well-known figure on both the medical and University campuses. He freely shares his wisdom and leadership, including as a member of the Whiting School’s National Advisory Council. Since the mid-1980s, his service has included membership on the Advisory Board of the Whitaker Biomedical Engineering Institute and on the Presidential Counse– lors (an advisory group to William R. Brody, president of the Johns Hopkins University).

“All over the country, I see Johns Hopkins University graduates who have contributed to our technical understanding and through that, to our quality of life.” Dr. Walter L. Robb

Robb and his wife, Anne, who live in Schenectady, New York, have not forgotten to support their own alma maters, but as they have learned more about the very special qualities of Johns Hopkins, they wanted to play a part in the expanding programs and progress of the Whiting School. Robb says, “All over the country, I see Johns Hopkins University graduates who have contributed to our technical understanding and through that, to our quality of life.”

The Robb Challenge will help ensure that tomorrow’s leaders have access to the best graduate programs and mentoring by the Whiting School’s nationally acclaimed faculty.

Robb and the Whiting School are especially interested in encouraging donors who have not previously made gift commitments at the level of $50,000. Although corporate matching gifts are welcomed and encouraged, they will not count toward a donor’s $50,000 qualifying amount. To qualify for the Robb Challenge, pledges will be matched on a first-come, first-served basis and need to be paid within five years.

Now a management consultant and president of Vantage Management, Inc., until December 1992 Robb was General Electric Company’s senior vice president for corporate research and development. He directed the GE Research and Development Center, one of the world’s largest and most diversified industrial laboratories, and served on the company’s Corporate Executive Council. For 13 years, Robb headed GE Medical Systems. In September 1993, he received the National Medal of Technology from President Bill Clinton for his leadership in the CT and MR imaging industry.

At age 65, Robb retired from GE, and began a second career. For the past 10 years, he has served on the boards of more than 10 start-up companies; six have gone public or been acquired. As a strong supporter of New York’s “Tech Valley,” he is a frequent angel investor. The founders of these new companies soon learn that he doesn’t just invest and patiently wait. During his many visits, he wants to be challenged for his ideas, not just his investment. Presently, he serves on the boards of two public companies, Celgene and Mechanical Technology, Inc.

A member of several community and alumni boards, Robb co-chairs the effort to upgrade a historic theater in Schenectady. Just for fun and to keep the team in the area, he purchased the Albany River Rats, an American League Hockey team. As the farm team of the New Jersey Devils, the River Rats proved to be a real source of excitement on his sports agenda. He also enjoys skiing and playing tennis. To celebrate his 70th birthday, he and his three sons climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.

For more information on the Robb Challenge, contact Associate Dean Michael Moyer at (410) 516-8723 or [email protected]