William F. Loftus Memorial Scholarship Fund
2024 Submissions are closed | 2025 Applications will open Fall 2025
This scholarship was established in 2024, in memory of William F. (Bill) Loftus, a DFI founder and the only DFI president to serve the organization twice in that role, 1981-82 and 1984-85.
The fund provides annual scholarships to undergraduate and graduate civil engineering students in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Manhattan University, Bill’s alma mater. Recipients must demonstrate academic merit, financial need and an interest in the deep foundations industry via civil or geotechnical engineering.
Eligibility & Requirements
The scholarship is exclusively for individuals at Manhattan University. Applications are made directly to the university through the civil and environmental engineering department, and the university selects the recipients.
William F. Loftus, P.E., L.S. (1933-2024)
William F. Loftus, P.E., L.S. was president and owner of William F. Loftus Associates Foundation Engineers in addition to being a founder and president of DFI. He started his business in 1968 and retired in 2020. Prior to opening his own business, which specialized in PDI and TNO pile driving analysis, vibration monitoring, Wave Equation analysis, integrity testing, inspection, design and consultation, he worked for two pile driving contractor companies and a supplier of concrete piles. In addition to his activities with DFI, he was a member of ASCE, The Moles, American Wood Preservers Institute, National Society of Professional Engineers, Irish American Cultural Institute, Ancient Order Hibernians Club and Knights of Columbus. He also served as a volunteer fireman and a Roman Catholic eucharistic minister.
Loftus received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Manhattan College and DFI’s Distinguished Service Award in 2000. He initiated DFI’s expansion into the global deep foundations arena, making connections in Europe, China and India in the early years of the association.
William Loftus died on March 20, 2024.
