From the June 2009 issue of e-Momentum
The typical day for a corporate attorney usually doesn’t involve hanging on to the sides of an up-armored Humvee as it climbs a 60-degree incline. Then again, Mary Ann Gilleece ’62 hasn’t had a typical route from UConn to a career with a prestigious Washington, D.C. law firm.
“I applied to, and was accepted into, UConn’s School of Engineering, which was in a time period when very few programs were accepting women,” she says. “But after two years, I began to believe that, as a woman, I was essentially unemployable after college.”
After graduating from UConn and working as a high school teacher, Gilleece found herself pulled toward her passion and ability in science and higher math, which continues to benefit her today as a partner in the firm of Holland & Knight. She advises domestic and foreign corporations on a wide spectrum of issues related to legislative, government contract and business matters. Her clients are largely technology-focused, from corporations working on converting algae to liquid fuel, to those working on superchargers for Humvee engines. She says that her knowledge of technology, and hands-on interest in her clients’ products, translates directly to her success at the firm. “I need to be able to speak eloquently about my clients and their work, and the knowledge to do that comes from my background in science and math,” she says.
When she joined the UConn Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2008, Gilleece saw an opportunity to give back to the University. Her gift to create the Mary Ann W. Gilleece Endowed Scholarship supports undergraduate scholarships in the School of Engineering. She also remains active in UConn’s initiatives in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and sees a societal need for stronger science and engineering in the American school system. Gilleece feels that she has an ability to influence that through her philanthropy.
“I believe that the country will succeed only by having an educated population, but we have even bigger challenges than just that,” she says. “We must get students involved with science and technology in even seventh or eighth grade, or earlier, and encourage them to pursue related careers. We should recognize this need and then do something about it.”
Dean Mun Choi of the School of Engineering affirms that private giving can help build a stronger engineering capability for society.
"Scholarship support from private donors like Ms. Gilleece allows UConn to attract outstanding students," Choi says. "Today, more than ever, we need skilled engineers to undertake grand challenges, so making college accessible for students with an aptitude in science and math is extremely important."
Although she didn’t become an engineer as she had intended to as an undergraduate student in Storrs, Gilleece traces her life’s success back to UConn and, ultimately, her education.
“I’ve had very clear focus in my life and, by any account, I’ve been successful. I didn’t get here because I’m a wonderful person. It’s because I have an irreplaceable education, and that started at UConn.”
For more information about supporting the School of Engineering, please contact the UConn Foundation's development department.
