The Rockwell company has donated $50,000 to Iowa State’s engineering program in honor of former Rockwell Collins President John “Jack” Cosgrove.

This donation will begin a scholarship for engineering students in Cosgrove’s name.

Cosgrove, who received a bachelor’s degree from ISU in 1956, began work at Rockwell in 1956 and was president of sub-division Rockwell Collins from 1996 until he retired last month.

All four of his children attended ISU.

James Melsa, dean of the College of Engineering, said Cosgrove is quite the Cyclone fan.

“He comes to virtually all of the Iowa State basketball games and all of the football games,” said Melsa, who also is a friend of Cosgrove’s.

Cosgrove and his wife Dilla have been “Cy’s Favorite Alums” in the past, Melsa said.

“He is somebody who is very involved in Iowa State,” he said.

The Rockwell Collins company, which has headquarters in Cedar Rapids, has been involved with ISU for a long time.

Bob Woods, manager of media relations for Rockwell Collins, said many of the company’s employees went to ISU.

“We’ve jointly worked with Iowa State on a number of projects over the years that have benefited both parties, and [this donation] was another way to strengthen the relationship,” he said.

Melsa said faculty members have traveled to Cedar Rapids to teach Rockwell Collins employees, as well as working there during the summer, and students have had internships at the company.

The scholarship will be given to undergraduates on a continuing basis.

“It is not limited to any particular year,” he said, “and it has a preference for electrical and computer engineers but could be given to any engineering students.”

He said the scholarship “would normally be given to one [student], but depending on the financial needs of students, it may be donated to more than one.”

The scholarship is a way for Rockwell to recognize Cosgrove’s “considerable leadership and business success,” Melsa said. “[This is a] wonderful tribute to one of our graduates.”

He also called Cosgrove “someone we would encourage our students to emulate in terms of their careers.”

Dalene Abner, director of public relations for the ISU Foundation, said it’s great that Rockwell has honored its former president by “providing a gift that will always have his name attached — forever.”