“He has a reputation for his character. He left a legacy here,” says Sheila Kelly, one of the recipients of the 2012 T.J. Good Scholarship.
She and Andrew Faust, both civil engineering seniors, are the two receivers of the scholarship honoring the 22-year-old Iowa State civil engineering senior who died suddenly of bacterial meningitis in April 2010. To apply for the scholarship, they were required to submit an essay about their leadership experience, character and the impact they will leave at Iowa State.
Faust knew Travis “T.J.” Good during his first two years at Iowa State, participating in Iowa State’s American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Steel Bridge Club together. Reflecting back on that time, he explains that he learned some of the most significant lessons from Good, one being how to be involved and how important that is. Faust carries Good’s legacy as he plans to lead the ASCE Steel Bridge Club in the 2012-13 academic year.
“I definitely feel honored to represent one of my best friends by receiving the scholarship. It’s more meaningful,” says Faust.
In addition to the essay, the selection process included an extensive interview, which Kelly says was a lot about character— something that is remembered most about Good. Kelly said the panel included professors Chris Rehmann and Beth Hartmann, former Department Chair Jim Alleman and one of T.J.’s close friends, Doug Hartwell. They were asked about leadership experience and their contributions to Iowa State, one of the main legacies left by Good.
The recipients said they were privileged to have the opportunity to spend some time with Good’s parents after being awarded the scholarship. Witnessing how they strive to continue his impact in the college left an impression on Kelly and displayed the determination instilled in Good from his parents.
“You can see where his remarkable character came from,” Sheila says.
In addition to the scholarship, a memorial table was dedicated in 2010 to Good outside the north entrance of Town Engineering Building on Iowa State University campus. The table was created by friends of Good and members of the American Society of Civil Engineers who wanted to pay tribute to the commitment he had continuously put into his work.