Our Mission
The Mission of the Antje Graupe Pryor Foundation was first put forth by the late Werner H. Graupe, shortly after the passing of his beloved daughter Antje. Werner Graupe had always felt that travel, study abroad, and making international connections were vital to his own success, as they promoted a deeper understanding of different cultures and ideas. The Foundation was created to help provide financial assistance to Engineering students wishing to pursue international studies. Since its inception in 2001, the Foundation has awarded over 3.5 million dollars to deserving students through its partner universities.
In addition to funding individual students, the Board of Directors has occasionally funded environmentally positive engineering projects through the Universities, that promote students' learning and research possibilities, such as the University of Calgary's Solar Car.
Why Study Abroad?
As Werner Graupe himself discovered, studying abroad is enriching in a number of ways. It will allow you to:
- Understand another culture
- Benefit from a variety of perspectives, the latest technology, and cutting-edge research and training
- Enjoy academic opportunities not available in your home institution
- Develop and perfect your skills in a second language
- Become more self-reliant and self-assured
- Make contacts with international colleagues
- Understand yourself better and, for many, have the "experience of a lifetime"
About Werner Graupe
Werner Graupe was born in Berlin and took a job at the Ford Motor Company in that city in 1938. Subsequently, he became, at age 27, the youngest person ever to be appointed production manager at a Ford company. "I received my education in business and administration as well as engineering while working for the Ford Motor Co.," he was to say later.
After WWII, Graupe established his own successful business in Bremen, Germany. In 1951, he, his wife and his one-year-old daughter Antje emigrated to Montreal. In 1952, Graupe founded Ferro Technique, a very successful machine tool-import/export business that he eventually sold in 1976.
In 1992, Graupe established the Werner Graupe Distinguished Chair in Automated Production at McGill University, to foster an apprentice-style relationship between students and business.
In 1999, he established the Antje Graupe Pryor Foundation in memory of his daughter, who had passed away in an untimely fashion in 1997. The foundation funds the awards described on this website.