University of Cincinnati
10/02/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/02/2025 09:21
Quo family establishes $1M endowed professorship at UC to honor engineering professor
Quo family establishes $1M endowed professorship at UC to honor engineering professor
Phillip C. Quo taught at the university for more than 30 years
5 minute read October 2, 2025 Share on facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print StoryLike
The University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) has received a $1 million gift from the family of long-time faculty member Phillip C. Quo and his wife Consuelo Y. Quo.
The gift establishes the Dr. Phillip C. and Mrs. Consuelo Y. Quo Endowed Professorship in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, where Professor Quo (1930-2019) taught for more than 35 years until his retirement in 2000.
For our father, UC was the pinnacle of his professional career. He loved teaching, mentoring students and connecting them with industry through UC's nationally recognized co-op program.
Quo children
"For our father, UC was the pinnacle of his professional career. He loved teaching, mentoring students and connecting them with industry through UC's nationally recognized co-op program," said the Quo children. "We also want to honor our mother with this gift. She is the quiet force behind everything for our family, our short-order cook, our driver, our organizer. It was her dedication that enabled our father and our family to thrive."
The endowed professorship was funded by the Quo's children: Marcia, Geoff, Stacey and Brian - together with their six grandchildren - Emma, Jacob, Annie, Maddie, Bennett and Brady.
In May 2025, during UC's commencement ceremonies, three generations of the Quo family gathered on campus with former colleagues and CEAS leadership to formally recognize the gift and celebrate Phillip and Consuelo Quo's legacy.
"This professorship gives the college and university the opportunity to attract and retain the best engineering faculty who will follow in Phil's footsteps - advancing discovery and teaching and positively impacting our institution and region for generations to come," said John Weidner, PhD, interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost and former CEAS dean.
A legacy of resilience and purpose
Jacob Schmidt, Consuelo Quo, and Emma Quo. Photo/Joe Simon.
Quo began his UC career teaching evening classes while working full-time as an engineering executive. He later joined the faculty full-time, teaching mechanical and civil engineering and computer-aided manufacturing.
His journey to the U.S. began with his escape from mainland China to Taiwan in 1949. His wife, Consuelo Quo, survived the Pacific Theater of World War II in the Philippines before emigrating to the U.S.
"They both came to this country believing in the transformative power of learning," recalled son Geoff Quo. "Our father began teaching at UC's evening college while working as an engineering executive during the day. One of his happiest moments was receiving the letter inviting him to join the faculty full time. He devoted the rest of his career to teaching mechanical engineering, civil engineering and computer-aided manufacturing."
His mother was the family's "strength behind the scenes," he added. "She believed deeply in education and anchored our family. She allowed our father to focus on his dual career - working in industry during the day while teaching in UC's evening college at night - before he was ultimately invited to join UC's faculty full time."
Emma Quo, Consuelo Quo and Anna Hua Chen. Photo/Joe Simon.
Professor Quo often used Cincinnati's iconic bridges as teaching tools, his children recalled.
"He would say that few people remember the names of the engineers who designed the Brent Spence or Roebling bridges, but the structures still stand strong," Geoff Quo reflected. "This professorship is like those bridges - future holders may not know much about our family, but it will endure for generations, impacting students and faculty long after us."
For the Quo family, the gift of a professorship in their parents' name represents a thank you to UC, Geoff Quo added.
"Thank you," said Geoff Quo. "To UC, for giving our father a fulfilling finale to his career. To the future professors, who will continue mentoring and connecting students with the world beyond the classroom. And most importantly, to the students - whose ideas will transform industries, communities and the world itself… just as our parents were once given opportunities through the support and kindness of others."
Featured image at top: Stacey Quo, Marcia Quo Schmidt, Consuelo Quo, Geoff Quo, Brian Quo. Photo/Joe Simon for the UC Foundation.
This is how breakthroughs happen
Your generosity has illuminated what's next: Student success beyond the classroom. Bearcats winning on the Big 12 stage. The gift of discovery for the health of our community. When you give to the University of Cincinnati and UC Health, you invest in the problem-solvers of tomorrow.
Tags
- Alumni Association
- Impact
- College of Engineering and Applied Science
- UC Foundation
- Experience-based Learning
- College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies
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The University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) has received a $1 million gift from the family of long-time faculty member Phillip C. Quo and his wife Consuelo Y. Quo.
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