Stories

The School of Engineering lost a dear colleague and friend last June, when Mark Aschheim, Peter Canisius, S.J. Professor in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering, passed away after a two-year struggle with cancer. Department Chair Edwin Maurer shared the following remembrance of Mark at a memorial gathering in October.

"Mark Aschheim was a gift to Santa Clara University. When he arrived in 2003 he brought with him the highest level of technical competence, a commitment to advancing sustainable technologies while modeling them in his own life, and a passion for the education of our students to serve their communities and the world. This alignment of institutional mission and Mark’s professional and personal commitment was reflected in everything he accomplished at SCU. This includes prolific academic research into structural performance under seismic conditions, public service as a core member of the California Straw Building Association as they drafted revisions to the International Residential Code, and as a devoted teacher promoting pedagogical advances, student research, and leading the practical implementation of bamboo structural members in SCU’s Solar Decathlon projects.

"It is easy to be in awe of the many accomplishments Mark achieved, though it is at least as telling how understated he was about them. He stood firmly where his values placed him, in humble service to others. SCU strives to educate people of competence, conscience, and compassion. In Mark we received all three generously."

The Mark Aschheim Memorial Award has been established to honor Mark's many contributions to Santa Clara University, the School of Engineering, and the Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering Department. The memorial fund grants a financial award to a rising senior majoring in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering. Contributions may be sent to Santa Clara University, Office of Gifts Processing, Attention: Mark Aschheim Memorial Award, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053.