Stan Rolfe Memorial Scholarship

Stan is pictured here with his granddaughter, now a freshman at the University of Kansas studying Aerospace Engineering.
Professor Stanley Rolfe was an esteemed member of the engineering community and a dedicated professor at the University of Kansas for more than four decades.

In his memory, a named endowed graduate scholarship is being established to be awarded to graduate students at the University of Kansas in Civil Engineering. This scholarship will provide aspiring civil engineers with invaluable scholarship support and inspire them to carry forward Stan’s legacy.

Stan, a graduate of the University of Illinois, made scholarly contributions to the application of fracture mechanics to engineering design practice. His expertise and broad range of activities in research, development, design, fabrication, and inspection control were instrumental in shaping the behavior and safety of structural systems such as bridges, pressure vessels, offshore oil structures and transmission towers. He was an esteemed colleague to his fellow faculty members, a gifted educator to his students, and a passionate Jayhawk.

"It has been a privilege to call Stan a friend and a colleague for over 50 years," said John Barsom, a consultant and the former chief of the materials behavior division at U.S. Steel Corp. "We coauthored several papers and a book on fracture and fatigue in structures and taught a short course for 24 years. He will be remembered as a dedicated teacher and mentor, an excellent engineer, and, above all, a good and honest man. His contribution to fracture mechanics helped transform the field. He will be greatly missed.

Stan’s legacy is one of commitment and contribution. From his early days at US Steel to the passion and knowledge he shared in the classroom, his contributions have been instrumental in reshaping the landscape of the field. His willingness to lend his expertise to industry boards and associations underscores the commitment he had to elevate the standards and enhance the profession.

Stan remains a source of inspiration for generations to come, embodying the principles of dedication, mentorship, and unyielding integrity. His enduring influence on students, colleagues, and friends is a testament to the lasting power of a life dedicated to knowledge, teaching, and ethical excellence."

Thank you for considering a gift to help us honor his legacy by assisting future KU engineering graduate students. With your help, we hope to create an impactful tribute to Professor Stanley Rolfe!