The G. Gary Nixon Scholarship for Excellence

G. Gary Nixon established The G. Gary Nixon Scholarship for Excellence in December 1998 to financially assist others seeking to earn a civil engineering degree. The scholarship was revised in 2007 and again in 2023. As an undergraduate, Gary received an academic scholarship and was the recipient of a fellowship to attend graduate school. The recipient of The University of Akron’s College of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award in 1994, Gary received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1965 from The University of Akron and a Master of Engineering (Civil) degree from Cornell University in 1966.

Gary served in the United States Army as Post Sanitary Engineer at Fort Knox, Kentucky, rising to the rank of Captain. In 1969, he joined the consulting engineering firm of Finkbeiner, Pettis & Strout, Inc., was elected Principal of the firm in 1980 and a member of the Board of Directors in 1988. He served as First Vice President of the Board of Directors from 1993 to 2003. He retired in 2003 as the largest shareholder of the privately held firm with nine offices in four states when the firm merged with an international consulting firm.

Gary was a member of Rotary International and was a life member of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and American Water Works Association. During his engineering career he was an active member of many industry trade associations and was a registered Professional Engineer in seven states. Also, he maintained Professional Engineer status in Ohio and North Carolina.

In retirement, Gary was active as a member of the Board of Directors of several non-profit civic organizations in Greensboro, North Carolina, and he was a licensed real estate broker. Gary passed away in 2022, leaving his wife, Shirley ’66, and his daughter, Laura.

Gary served in the United States Army as Post Sanitary Engineer at Fort Knox, Ky., rising to the rank of captain.

In 1969, he joined the consulting engineering firm of Finkbeiner, Pettis & Strout Inc. He was elected a principal of the firm in 1980 and a member of the Board of Directors in 1988. He served as first vice president of the Board of Directors from 1993 to 2003. He retired in 2003 as the largest shareholder of the privately held firm, which had nine offices in four states when the firm merged with an international consulting firm.

Gary is a member of Rotary International and a life member of both the American Society of Civil Engineers and American Water Works Association. During his engineering career, he was an active member of many industry trade associations and was a registered Professional Engineer in seven states. He maintains Professional Engineer status in Ohio and North Carolina.

In retirement, Gary is active as a member of the Board of Directors of several nonprofit civic organizations in Greensboro, N.C., and is a licensed real estate broker.

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