Ohio State University has announced a $14 million gift from the estate of alumnus Edward Claugus to establish five endowed funds that will benefit students, faculty, and staff in its College of Engineering and William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.

The gift from Claugus, who died in June 2013 while flying a small aircraft, will endow five funds named in his mother's honor. They include the Bernice L. Claugus Endowed Fund in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, which will provide operating support for the department; the Bernice L. Claugus Endowed Chair in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, which will support an endowed chair in the department; the Bernice L. Claugus Engineering Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will provide scholarships to undergraduates enrolled in the College of Engineering; the Bernice L. Claugus Endowed Scholarship Fund in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, which will provide scholarships to undergraduates enrolled in the College of Engineering who are majoring in chemical and biomolecular engineering; and the Bernice L. Claugus Engineering Innovation Fund, a discretionary fund managed by the college’s dean. During its first year, the bequest will assist forty-five engineering students.

Ed Claugus earned his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from OSU in 1981. The youngest of five brothers, all of whom earned degrees from Ohio State, he was a private investor and aviation enthusiast.

"He had tremendous respect for Ohio State," said Tom Claugus, noting that half his brother's estate went to family members and the other half went to his alma mater. "It's great when your younger brother is an inspiration, and Ed was an inspiration for me. My brother really lived his life to the fullest. I am sure he would be proud to see the scholarship recipients and the work that’s ongoing to further the mission of Ohio State. He would just be glowing to know he was supporting forty-five students."