Due to the generous gift from The Anthony W. DeSio and Delores J. DeSio Foundation, a scholarship has been created in our department entitled the “Anthony W. DeSio Endowed Fellowship in Computer Science Engineering”. The scholarship support (“fellowship(s)”) is designated for graduate students enrolled full-time in the Computer Science & Engineering Program with academic achievement and financial need. Priority consideration will be given to students with 4 years of military service in the U.S. armed forces. Application details will be provided once the funding becomes available in 2016.
Anthony DeSio received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 1957. He is the co-founder and former Chairman, President, and CEO of Mail Boxes Etc. (currently known as The UPS STORE). He launched the company’s franchising business in 1980 and built the company from a single store into the world’s largest non-food franchise with almost 4,000 stores in 30 countries at the time of his retirement in 1998.

Earlier in his career, he was an aerospace executive with Hughes Research and Development Labs, Lockheed Martin, GE, and Western Union. He held several key management positions with Lockheed Missiles & Space Company during the initial stages of the U.S. Space Exploration program. In 1971, he was nominated to participate in the President’s Executive Interchange Program and served for two years as a staff assistant to the Aeronautics and Space Counsel in the Executive Office of the President.

Mr. DeSio has received an outstanding achievement award from the President of the United States (1972), and Entrepreneur of the Year awards from the International Franchise Association (1996), Inc. magazine (1989), and Franchise Times magazine (2001).

---