$1M gift to WSU seeks to inspire, reward groundbreaking work

Wichita State University

WICHITA — John A. See hopes his gift of $1 million to Wichita State University not only will recognize exceptional projects, but also will spur private investors and others to back them.

“I can help bring attention to the projects that deserve it,” See said, “but I hope this gift will attract additional investors and supporters to these projects once they are brought into awareness.”

John A. See, left, with James Rhatigan, WSU consultant, and Linda Constable, See’s attorney, has made a $1 million commitment to Wichita State to encourage and reward outstanding projects.

See has given $1 million to establish the John A. See Research Award, a prize for WSU faculty and students who are conducting outstanding research or producing other significant work, the WSU Foundation announced. Awards would be made as warranted and could vary widely in amount.

Though not an alumnus of Wichita State, See has been a generous supporter, saying he recognizes the importance of higher education and believes in WSU’s commitment to growth and pioneering work. In 2011, he created the John A. See Engineering Scholarship, providing nine scholarships a year to juniors and seniors. In 2007, he created the John A. See Endowed Health and Emergency Fund, which helps students with emergency medical expenses not covered by insurance.

James Rhatigan, WSU Foundation consultant who is a neighbor and friend of See’s, said See approached him at a neighborhood get-together last September to say he was interested in making a new gift to Wichita State.

“I asked Mr. See if he had an amount in mind,” Rhatigan said. “He said, ‘I think I could do $1 million.’ I said, ‘You have my attention.’”

See, who was director of flight test and prototype development at Boeing until his retirement in 1985, told Rhatigan he was interested in supporting research and other work
aimed at improving the quality of life for many. Rhatigan knew that a number of faculty members at WSU were engaged in that kind of work.

Initially, Rhatigan submitted three research projects to See to illustrate the kind of exciting work that could be supported with his investment. While impressed by those projects, See eventually chose to create a fund to inspire and reward a variety of projects, which would be selected by the university.

“Although it’s expected that most awards would go to faculty doing advanced scholarly work, Mr. See wants any idea to be eligible for consideration, including that done by students,” Rhatigan said.

WSU President John Bardo called See’s gift exciting and influential.

“This is the kind of award that helps create a campus culture that very strongly endorses research with significant impact,” Bardo said. “We are trying to encourage our faculty to step out and do something really big, something that creates value beyond the campus. This award really speaks to that.”

Although he was born in Nevada, See grew up in New York. He was married for 60 years to Jane See, and has a daughter and a grandson. His son, John See Jr., died in 2012.