Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology will receive $7 million for scholarships from the estate of alumnus and former trustee Michael Percopo of New York City. The gift is largest donation for scholarships the private engineering, mathematics and science college has ever received, according to Rose-Hulman President Samuel Hulbert.

Rose-Hulman has received approximately $2 million of the gift. An additional $2 million will be received when the estate is completed, and $3 million will be donated in the form of a deferred gift.

The gift will increase the number of four-year, full-tuition scholarships offered through the Michael and Christa Percopo Scholarship Fund. He created the scholarship fund in 1992 to attract top students from the East and West coasts who would add to the geographic diversity of the Rose-Hulman student body. Scholarship recipients must maintain a B plus grade point average. The first new scholarship will be awarded next fall.

Students eligible for the Percopo Scholarships must also be in the top 10 percent of their high-school graduating class, have the potential to attain high positions in the management field, demonstrate the leadership characteristics of a "self starter," and preferably be from a high school that specializes in science and technology.

Percopo died on Jan. 25 in New York City. He was a 1943 graduate of Rose-Hulman who served as a member of the college's Board of Trustees for 21 years. He is survived by his wife, Christa, who serves on the advisory committee for the scholarship fund.

"Mike Percopo's unselfish generosity will greatly enhance Rose-Hulman's ability to recruit the nation's most academically talented students for decades," stated Rose-Hulman President Samuel Hulbert. "He provided valuable support to his college for more than 50 years. We are very grateful that he has left a legacy that illustrates his deep affection and dedication to his college," Hulbert said.

Percopo had also previously established a fellowship at Harvard University for Rose-Hulman alumni interested in earning an MBA. Percopo received an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1948.

Percopo retired as president of Squibb International and then served as president of MWP Associates International in New York City.

He received several honors from Rose-Hulman for his longtime support to the college and in recognition of his distinguished international business career. Percopo was presented with an honorary doctor of laws degree from Rose-Hulman in 1972. In 1997, the Rose-Hulman Office of Career Services and Employer Relations in the Hulman Union was dedicated in honor of Percopo and his late wife, Catharine. During his service as a trustee, he was a member of the board's investment management, academic affairs and Ventures Success Fund committees.

Percopo received his B.S. degree in chemical engineering. After serving as a captain in the United States Army, and earning an MBA from Harvard, Percopo began his career with Squibb in Rome, Italy. Promotions came quickly and included positions as assistant to the president of Squibb in Sao Paulo, Brazil, managing director in Turkey and general manager of Middle East Operations. In 1957, Percopo was promoted to vice president, Southern Latin American, and later became president of Squibb for the Western Hemisphere and Middle East. He was appointed president of Squibb International in 1978.