Steadfast Support
07/01/2025
A $4.6 Million Gift from Frank Magiera, Ph.D., (PC ’62) Benefits the School of Science and Engineering, SLU-Madrid
Frank Magiera’s obituary listed his love for four things: his family, his profession, travel and Saint Louis University.
A scholarship from SLU allowed Magiera (PC ’62), the child of a single mother who supported her family by working as a seamstress, to earn a degree in aerospace engineering, laying the foundation for his future and sparking a lifelong desire to invest in others.
After a lifetime of supporting SLU, Magiera made his final gift in the form of a bequest totaling more than $4.6 million that will benefit other Billikens. The largest portion is dedicated to scholarships, initiatives and enhanced facilities at the School of Science and Engineering (formerly Parks College of Aviation, Engineering and Technology), including collaboration space to help students from all majors come together in working on industry-related projects.
“This transformative gift to the School of Science and Engineering is directed towards enhancing the student experience, a passion that Frank exemplified as a Parks alum,” said Gregory Triplett, Ph.D., the Oliver L. Parks Dean of Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering. “He leaves a legacy that is both inspiring and impactful.”
Rooted in a Drive to Succeed
Magiera knew from a young age that he wanted a different life than the never-ending work he saw his mother endure, said his niece, Julie Keim. Born in East St. Louis, Ill., he attended Catholic grade school and public high school before being accepted to SLU. Magiera understood higher education was key to pursuing his dreams of becoming an engineer, earning a good salary and demonstrating his intelligence to the world, Keim said, but college seemed out of reach.
“That is where Parks College at Saint Louis University changed his life,” she said. “Frank toiled over college and scholarship applications and found the answer to his many prayers when a full-ride scholarship was offered to him. He knew once that door opened, he would succeed. It is this opportunity that made Frank want to give back to other students.”
At a time when an undergraduate degree was uncommon enough, Magiera continued along his educational path after graduating from SLU in 1962, as his early interest in engineering evolved into a passion for investing and educating others. He earned a Ph.D. in finance from Michigan State University and enjoyed connecting with students throughout his life.
An independent financial services professional for much of his career, Magiera also shared his extensive knowledge as a professor of finance and author, with a particular interest in providing education and training to investment professionals seeking certification in security analysis and portfolio construction.
He wanted to impart the same familiarity, wisdom, kindness, care and concern he felt from the adults in his life at SLU."
— Julie Keim
Dedicated to the highest ethical standards, he developed curriculum and graded exams for the CFA Institute, a global nonprofit organization for investment professionals that administers the CFA Program, one of the most respected credentials in finance and investment management.
As his successful career paid dividends, Magiera turned to sharing his assets with others. He established the Frank and Bernice Magiera Scholarship, which honors his mother, Bernice Philomena (née Zelechowska) Magiera, in 2012. Providing three School of Science and Engineering undergraduate students up to $5,000 annually, the scholarship connected Magiera to the SLU community on a regular basis, as he often met with its recipients and kept in touch with them after graduation.
“Paying it forward was very important to him,” Keim said. “He wanted the scholarship recipients to know that they had people to turn to. He wanted to impart the same familiarity, wisdom, kindness, care and concern he felt from the adults in his life at SLU.”
Living as a Man With and For Others
Magiera established additional gift funds at SLU over the years, assisting students during the COVID-19 pandemic and providing scholarships at SLU-Madrid. He also remembered SLU’s campus in Spain, which he visited personally during his travels, in his estate plan. A portion of his gift has been set aside to provide support services for students there.
“SLU–Madrid has unusually strong science and engineering programs, as well as impressive laboratory spaces and facilities — something that is unique among U.S. campuses in Europe,” said William P. Johnson, J.D., the campus’s rector. “This generous gift will position the campus to make the experience for science and engineering students even richer, advancing our mission to graduate Jesuit-educated scientists and engineers who will confront tomorrow’s global challenges as women and men for and with others.”
Magiera, a passionate tourist, often visited locations abroad and St. Louis, where he regularly attended Homecoming and Family Weekend in September and the Scholarship Dinner in the spring. On his most recent visit to campus in 2024, he was honored with SLU’s Alumni Merit Award, which recognizes graduates who exemplify SLU's mission in their daily lives. His nomination came from a recipient of the Frank and Bernice Magiera Scholarship.
On his last trip to campus, he gave his family tours and relived his memories of his time at Parks College of Aviation, Engineering and Technology.
“He loved SLU more than anything, so to see the love returned touched him in a way he likely did not even know he wanted or needed,” Keim said. “Frank was a modest man from modest means. While he had been recognized before for his many accomplishments in his career, none was as exceptional to him as being honored by his true love — SLU!"