Meet Our Donors
Walter Straub '65, MBA '70, HD —12
Securing the Future
With his gift, Drexel alumnus Walter Straub '65, MBA '70, HD '12 is preparing the next generation of leaders in technology and business to tackle emerging issues in cyber security
For nearly four decades, Walter Straub '65, MBA '70, HD '12, has enjoyed a successful career leading organizations at the intersection of technology and business, a natural fit given his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and his MBA from Drexel's LeBow College of Business. But for Straub, it was more than the lessons he learned in the classroom that informed his path in life—it was Drexel's focus on a cooperative educational experience.
"My co-ops were essential to my career development," he says. "They exposed me to not just engineering, but to business disciplines too. One of my co-ops had an —open office' environment, and I could learn from sales managers, the vice president of marketing, even the president—it was a great foundation for my career."
Straub, who was always interested in engineering technology, returned to Drexel to pursue a degree in finance, earning his MBA in 1970. Learning and working in burgeoning industries like computer and information security, which utilized Straub's background in engineering and business, was the basis for decision to create the Walter Straub Cybersecurity Fund in College of Computing and Informatics within Drexel's College of Computing & Informatics (CCI). The fund, which provides programmatic support, lab renovations, scholarships for undergraduates and PhD fellowship funds within the college, advances its mission to provide students with the comprehensive knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to drive innovation and improve lives within any industry or career field.
"Over time, we have seen that most private industry and public sector companies and charitable organizations, they are becoming more dependent on the reliability of their computer systems and cyber security technology," he says. "I thought it was essential for Drexel, for the education of their students—not just computer science, but business students too—to get exposure to the real-world issues of computing."
Straub, who served as a member of CCI Dean Deng's executive advisory council and received an honorary degree from Drexel in 2012, remains an active alumnus and vocal proponent for the increased role that Drexel students will play in growth and development of cyber security and technology.
"Today, financial risk, privacy, cyber security—they're more relevant than ever," he says. "In order for the university to stay current and relevant, I think it's essential that all students, regardless of their school, have an increased awareness of the issues in the marketplace today."
Now, as even more students pursue careers that straddle industries, Straub hopes his gift will further their ability to succeed, wherever they end up.
"I give Drexel a lot of credit for the direction of my career, and it's nice to give back to a university that you have a strong faith and belief in," says Straub. "Going forward, I hope that this will allow more students to excel and cement Drexel's position as a leader in cyber security."