ECE Scholarship in Memory of the Late Professor Arvin Grabel
The late Professor Emeritus Arvin Grabel of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering was an active and beloved member of the Northeastern community for over 40 years. In honor of his legacy, his wife of 51 years, Ruth Grabel, has created the Professor Arvin Grabel Memorial Scholarship in his memory.
Students eligible for the scholarship will be either:
- Undergraduate or graduate students in electrical engineering whose work has forged meaningful connections between engineering and another academic field. Preference will be given to students whose academic work/research demonstrates the value of disciplinary cross-pollination in expanding intellectual inquiry and/or addressing real-world issues.
- Undergraduate students who are in the first-generation of their family to pursue an undergraduate degree and are majoring in electrical engineering and have demonstrated academic success.
- Undergraduate or graduate students in electrical engineering who, in addition to academic success, have demonstrated particular dedication to the university community. Such commitment might include but is not limited to serving on student government or other university-wide committees; participating in/organizing cross-disciplinary events and opportunities; working to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at the university; or other forms of Northeastern community service.
Ruth Grabel stated, “Our family is so pleased to be able to create this scholarship in Arvin’s name. We can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to his memory than helping students further their education. Arvin was devoted to teaching and to his students and we hope this scholarship, which can benefit students with a range of different interests, will be a fitting way to carry out that legacy.”
Professor Grabel joined the then Department of Electrical Engineering in 1964 as an assistant professor, rose to associate professor in 1967, and professor in 1978. He also served as acting chair of the department and conducted research in the areas of active networks, gallium arsenide circuits, and integrated circuits. He retired in 2004 while continuing to teach classes and to be involved on campus for many years. Professor Grabel earned his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and PhD from New York University.
In addition to his commitment to teaching excellence, where he was awarded several university-wide recognitions, Professor Grabel authored two engineering textbooks that were translated into many languages. With a lifetime passion for civic engagement, he also held several university-wide leadership positions. Arvin was an early member of the Faculty Senate and became chair of the Senate Agenda Committee (SAC) in 1970, and then again from 1994 to 1995—nearly 25 years later—showing his continual service to the university and in shaping Northeastern’s shared governance. While chair of the SAC, he also served as vice-chair of the Faculty Senate. Additionally, he was the university’s NCAA academic representative, a member of Northeastern’s presidential search committee, and a longtime cadre marshal—volunteering with other faculty across the university to help organize official university events such as Commencement.
Professor Grabel had a long and distinguished career at Northeastern, contributing so much to the progress of the college and the university. With this scholarship, may his kindness and inspiration that touched many during his lifetime live on.
Learn more about the Professor Arvin Grabel Memorial Scholarship on the Giving website.