Retired Professor Steven Rost Creates Meaningful Gift with Endowed Travel Fellowship

Professor Emeritus Steven Rost embraced the promise of travel both personally and professionally, having led many students on trips that combined travel with learning.

In fact, he believed so strongly in its life-changing value, he made sure one particular student didn’t miss out on a study abroad program, which like similar programs had academic standards for admission.

Including a minimum GPA requirement where – unfortunately – the student fell short.

However, Steve saw a lot of potential in the student, for whom he had empathy; his own love of learning had evolved and matured over time while pursuing a new career path and a second degree in photography, graphic design and filmmaking. And by then, he’d already spent a couple of years studying engineering before earning a degree in business administration.

Thinking back to his own experience, it wasn’t difficult to support the student’s interest in the program. “I know what it takes to develop, and these students don’t all develop at the same pace,” Steven said.

The calculation paid off. After a month in Paris, Steven said the student was a different person. “He rose to the occasion and did well.”

When it came time to retire after 40 years with LTU’s College of Architecture and Design, Steven wanted to leave behind a meaningful gift for CoAD students. But he wasn’t sure what. He knew he had a passion for interdisciplinary studies, having found ways to connect a technical education to his love of art and design.

But he also remembered the transformation in students who blended travel with education. “Travel is as much of a classroom as a traditional classroom,” he said.

After learning how endowed scholarships work, he decided to create a fund of his own. Thus, the Steven Rost Endowed Travel Fellowship was born. The fund will help cover the cost to travel and learn.

Students can design their own experience or pursue a more traditional program. And they aren’t limited by destination, either. “Say you want to study street corners in Detroit and rent an AIRBNB to immerse yourself in the city – this is fine,” Steven said. When students complete the program, “They have to present evidence of their growth and learning in a public way.”

Growth and learning seem to be the net effect of having Steven as a professor; there was no shortage of well-wishes from former students when his retirement was announced on social media.

“Your guidance and mentorship during my time at LTU changed the trajectory of my life and I am forever grateful!” commented one.

“You made us think outside the box even if the assignment was a box!” said another.

“With your compassion, talent and dedication, you made us strive for the best.”

Exactly what he hopes the fellowship will do.

Author: Pam Houghton