When Patricia (Patty) Morrison wanted to honor the memory of her late husband, Edward (Ed) Grebel, she hoped to find a meaningful way to celebrate his lifelong curiosity, creativity, and passion for engineering. Through a generous gift to Cal State LA, she is helping a new generation of students learn, innovate, and support one another.
Ed earned his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Cal State LA in 1978 while working full-time at Southern California Edison (SCE). Over a 32-year career, he advanced from field operations and maintenance to become a senior engineer specializing in electrical system protection. His work included modernizing protective systems for high-voltage transmission lines and developing innovative tools that improved engineering operations.
“Ed was always learning, thinking, creating,” Patty recalled.
Following Ed’s passing, Patty wanted to find a meaningful way to preserve his legacy. When she learned about the opportunity to support a student steward in ECST’s CircuitSpace, the idea resonated with her.
“I want the gift to CSULA to assist those who create, innovate, and cooperate,” she explained.
A Program Where Everyone Benefits
In 2026, Patty's gift established ECST's CircuitSpace Named Steward Program in loving memory of Ed. Her support will fund one student steward each year for five years, providing paid opportunities for students to mentor their peers, share technical knowledge, and support hands-on learning in the CircuitSpace.
“What makes the named stewardship program so special is that it creates opportunities for students on both sides of the mentoring relationship,” said ECST Dean Nancy Warter-Perez.
“Our stewards gain meaningful paid work experience, deepen their technical knowledge, and develop leadership and communication skills while helping other students build confidence, explore ideas, and learn through hands-on projects.”
Mentorship in Action
The first named steward, Electrical Engineering student Valerie (Val) Perez, brings enthusiasm for electronics and peer mentorship to the CircuitSpace.
As a peer mentor in ECST’s BOOST program, Val guided a team of engineering students developing a portable outdoor entertainment system for residents of California Mission Inn, an assisted living facility. Faculty mentors Deborah Won and Y. Curtis Wang recall her creativity and ability to make technical concepts accessible while building strong connections with her team.
Today, Val welcomes students into the CircuitSpace, helps them access equipment and resources, and supports their efforts to troubleshoot projects and explore new ideas.
“Helping others learn has made me a more thoughtful learner and a more confident communicator,” Val shared.
Building on Patty's gift, ECST hopes to expand named stewardship opportunities through support from individuals and organizations, creating more opportunities for students to learn, lead, and support one another.
Through the program, Ed’s legacy continues in the curiosity, creativity, and collaborative spirit of the students it supports.
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