SIGD Alumni Establish Walter Schaer Scholarship

Schaer, a graduate of the renowned Ulm School of Design, a German college of design founded in 1953, served on the Auburn faculty from 1960–1992.

During that time, he played a pivotal role in developing the Auburn Industrial Design program. Under his guidance, the program developed a unique systematic approach to design, with a circular process including ecological, technical, product and human components for intelligent and responsible product development.

Former students recall Schaer as a charismatic, demanding and inspiring figure, best known for his unconventional methods. Over more than three decades of teaching, he profoundly influenced the careers of industry leaders, visionaries and educators.

The Walter Schaer Scholarship, created to honor his legacy, will be awarded to “an exceptional Industrial Design student who embodies the hard work, passion for learning and forward-thinking leadership that Dr. Schaer instilled in his students.”

The Scholarship was made possible by donations from SIGD Alumni including Donald Corey, Scott Gant, David Harris, Tsai Lu Liu, Alix Mills, Kenneth Musgrave, Mike Poindexter, Michael Smith and Jose Vasquez.

“I am deeply grateful and proud to have had Dr. Schaer as a professor,” said Gant ’92, noting the donors would eventually like to grow the scholarship to provide awards for both a senior and junior student. “For those who graduated before 1993, he was nothing short of legendary. Everyone has a story about his funny, unorthodox, demanding—yet always illuminating—teaching methods.

“Recognizing his profound influence on our careers, the alumni donors felt it was important to honor his contributions to the SIGD program and his global impact on industrial design,” Gant continued. “To that end, we established a scholarship in his name, ensuring his lessons and legacy continue to inspire future generations of Auburn Industrial Design graduates.”

For more information, or to donate to the Walter Schaer Scholarship fund, contact Braden Lewis, Development Officer for the College of Architecture, Design and Construction at (334) 707-1415 or email bradenlewis@auburn.edu.