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Schweitzer to Receive Briggs Award |
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Written On: April 20, 2007 |
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Written By: Richard Davis |
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OLYMPIA—The Association of Washington Business announced today that Edmund O. Schweitzer III, philanthropist, engineer and founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc., is the winner of AWB’s 2007 Bruce Briggs Community Service Award. The Bruce Briggs Community Service Award is one of five awards established by AWB, named in honor of the late Bruce Briggs, a longtime AWB member and owner of Briggs Nursery in Olympia. AWB will present the award at its annual Spring Board Meeting in Spokane on May 22.
"Ed is a self-made man who has a strong commitment to helping the community. He’s passionate about science, math and education and puts his own resources into improving schools," said AWB President Don Brunell.
Schweitzer has donated generously toward building a variety of projects in the Pullman area. The Schweitzer family contributed 2.6 million—the total construction cost—toward building the Pullman Aquatic Center. This facility, which houses three pools and a fitness center, is available to the local school district for use by their swim teams and the public at large.
Schweitzer encourages education on all levels by supporting electronics programs, scholarships, professorships and internships at public and private schools, as well as at colleges and universities worldwide.
Through the years, he has also contributed to the Palouse Discovery Science Center, Pullman Regional Hospital, and St. Margaret’s Shelter and House of Charity.
"Ed Schweitzer also believes in treating people right and providing them with opportunities to succeed in life and in their careers," said Brunell. "It’s our pleasure to recognize him with the Briggs Award."
Schweitzer received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Purdue University before earning his doctorate in engineering science from Washington State University. In 1982, just five years after graduating, Schweitzer founded Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc. in his basement. Two years later, he revolutionized the power protection industry by introducing the world's first digital relay. In the years since, SEL has grown and successfully developed a full line of products. Today, they sell to more than 100 countries worldwide.
Past Briggs Award winners include:
2000 Bruce Briggs, Briggs Nursery, Olympia
2001 Mike Porter, Tacoma Diesel, Tacoma
2002 Patrick Quigg, Grays Harbor Paper Co., Hoquiam
2003 Gerri Coleman, Express Personnel, Walla Walla
2004 Dean and Sandi Strawn, Dependable Janitorial, Kennewick
2005 Bill and Dolores Kyle, Superior Insurance, Auburn
2006 Patrick and Susan Dunn, Patrick Dunn and Associates, Olympia and Seattle.
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