Eaton Corporation gift pushes scholarship fund closer to its goal

Kearney, Neb., Feb. 15, 2010 — A $10,000 gift from Justin Duffy’s friends and former co-workers at the Eaton Corporation is pushing a scholarship in his memory closer to its goal.

Duffy was killed on June 2, 2009, when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee while his Army unit provided security escort for military leadership in Baghdad. A fund in his memory was established last year at the University of Nebraska Foundation to help students attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney where Duffy graduated in 2000.

Duffy’s former Kearney, Neb., employer, Eaton, donated more than $10,000 in memory of its former employee. Duffy worked at the plant as a production supervisor for about five years.

“I hear Justin’s name brought up every now and then, even now, by co-workers,” said Eulah Solomon, a buyer at Eaton. “I think we all appreciate the way he left Eaton to go serve and fight for his country. We all really hope this fund becomes endowed.”

The plant, which manufactures engine valves, has been located in Kearney for 40 years. Eaton donated $10,000 as a corporation while Duffy’s friends and former co-workers chipped in $458 of their own money. The fund is close to being endowed at $25,000, meaning scholarships will exist in perpetuity from the interest the fund earns on its principal.

Jamie Backhaus, an environmental health and safety assistant at the plant, worked with Duffy and also graduated from UNK.

“I got some information on the scholarship and saw that people were donating to it and I thought, ‘Why can’t we?’ ” she said.

The plant submitted a request to corporate headquarters, knowing the request was out of the ordinary for the type of projects Eaton usually funds in local communities.

“But Justin was an employee here and we wanted to do this to honor him,” said Lisa Prater, human resources manager at the plant.

The plant stands behind its employees as well as community members who serve in the military. A display case near the plant entrance has photos and mementos from people serving in the military. The plant also has a Military Support Team that sends care packages to community members and employees who are deployed. The Eaton plant, which employs 384 people, has one employee and two former employees who now serve in the military.

Duffy is remembered fondly at the plant.

“I was on the day shift in the same department with Justin,” said Austin Grimes, engineering manager. “I remember he was a hard working and diligent person. People really appreciated what he did.”

“Justin was an intelligent guy who worked hard and knew how to make the facility efficient,” said Seth Hendrickson, materials manager at Eaton. “People went to him to get things done. He was the type of guy anybody could go downtown with and have a beer.”

“It didn’t surprise anyone when he announced he was going into the service,” Solomon said, “The military was in his bearing.”

The same qualities that endeared him to his Eaton co-workers are the ones that made him popular with his comrades – the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division. Sgt. John Palmer, who served alongside Duffy, has spearheaded the effort to establish the fund in Duffy’s memory. Palmer’s encouragement has led to dozens of $25 gifts and more from Duffy’s Army mates.

The Duffy scholarship will help students attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where Duffy earned a degree in criminal justice. The scholarship gives preference to students pursuing degrees in criminal justice, health science or who are members of UNK’s ROTC program.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization raising private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for more than 70 years. In 2009, the foundation provided the university with more than $102 million in private funding for scholarships, medical research and support for faculty and academic programs. In October of 2009, the foundation announced Unlimited Possibilities: the Campaign for Nebraska, a $1.2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign—the largest in the university’s history. For more information, visit campaignfornebraska.org.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with 2009 sales of $11.9 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulic and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 70,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.

Sidebar:
• Learn more on Facebook: SGT Justin Duffy Memorial Scholarship
• Make a gift at http://nufoundation.org/justinduffy
• Eaton employees in Kearney logged 2,800 volunteer service hours in the community last year. www.eaton.com

Photos:

1 - Justin Duffy was killed June 2, 2009, when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in eastern Baghdad.

2 - Justin Duffy was killed June 2, 2009, when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in eastern Baghdad.

Media contacts:
Jon Abegglen, Vice President and Director of Development, University of Nebraska Foundation
308-698-5273
jabegglen@nufoundation.org

Gary Reber
University of Nebraska Foundation
402-458-1155
greber@nufoundation.org

Lisa Prater, Human Resources Manager
Eaton Corporation
308-233-5435
lisagprater@eaton.com