Dr. Richard D. Dubler Reentry Mechanical Engineering Scholarship

In addition to the Dr. Richard D. Dubler Mechanical Engineering Scholarship established by Dr. Dubler, a retired leader and faculty member in higher education at UNC Charlotte, he has established the Dr. Richard D. Dubler Reentry Mechanical Engineering Scholarship for the 2022-2023 year. The Reentry Scholarship is designed to support reentry adult learners who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at UNC Charlotte.

Dr. Dubler (Dick) began teaching and working with students part time at UNC Charlotte in the late 1970’s and full time in 1990. During his tenure, he served as an award-winning lecturer, an admired and respected academic adviser, and leader as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Dr. D.,” as he was affectionately known by his students, was a strict teacher who demanded excellence; however, he was always willing to help his students succeed.

In addition to classroom instruction, Dr. D served as a co-operative education advisor and an internship advisor. His instruction prepared students well for the world of work beyond the classroom. In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Alcoa Award for Outstanding Faculty at the Undergraduate Level for his efforts. A former colleague and emeritus SPX Distinguished Professor of Engineering at UNC Charlotte shared that Dick provided the ideal model for an undergraduate engineering program. Dr. D also served on the founding board and as an advisor for the local UNC Charlotte Gamma Rho Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, a premier national honor society for adult learners.

Dr. Dubler, who hailed from a farm family in Iowa, was the first in his family to earn a college degree, like many UNC Charlotte students. He graduated from Iowa State with an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Prior to teaching, Dick held positions at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, NY; Gale Products in Galesburg, IL; and Homelite in Charlotte. Dick served as a laboratory manager with Homelite and obtained a patent at Homelite, a division of Textron, in 1986.

Dick is a man of devout faith who regularly volunteers at his Lutheran church in Gastonia, North Carolina.

In supporting the Reentry Scholarship, Dr. Dubler is providing financial support and encouragement to reentry nontraditional students pursuing careers in the field of mechanical engineering.