Scholarship to Support College of Engineering Students
TOLEDO, Ohio, August 18, 2025 – SSOE Group, an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is proud to announce the establishment of the Nathan (Nate) Czerniejewski – SSOE Memorial scholarship in partnership with the with the University of Toledo’s College of Engineering. This annual scholarship honors the legacy of a beloved colleague, mentor, and leader whose career and character left a lasting impact on the firm and the broader engineering community.
Supporting Future Engineers
Over the course of the next five years, the Nate Czerniejewski – SSOE Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to civil engineering students from the Greater Toledo area who demonstrate financial need. In addition to the financial award, each scholarship recipient will be offered a co-op interview with SSOE, providing a unique opportunity to follow in Nathan’s footsteps, who began his own journey at SSOE as a co-op student.
Honoring a Legacy
In March 2025, SSOE mourned the loss of Nate Czerniejewski, a Principal Partner in the firm and respected leader. His career at SSOE began in 1995 as an intern, and over the next three decades he rose through the ranks with dedication and technical excellence. Over the years, Nate gained invaluable experience by serving as an on-site engineering manager and held several roles, including Section Manager, Division Manager, and Principal Program Manager. In 2010, he transferred to the Systems group and in 2017 was promoted to Systems General Manager where he was on the Board of Directors and led the team until he transitioned to Facilities in late 2024. Nate graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
Nate’s wife, Jennifer Czerniejewski, said, “I’m very touched that SSOE has made this commitment in Nate’s memory. He was a dedicated engineer who always believed in the power of education. This scholarship at his alma mater is a beautiful tribute to his memory and his commitment to helping others achieve their dreams.” 
SSOE CEO, Vince DiPofi, PE, noted, “We miss Nate’s leadership, laid back and genuine nature, as well as collaborative spirit. Through this scholarship, we continue to honor Nate by supporting the education and future careers of aspiring engineers. It is a fitting tribute to a man who was dedicated to helping others and making a positive impact in our community. It also perfectly aligns with our firm’s vision to design and build the future for its clients, colleagues, and communities.”
Growing the Impact
Given Nate’s impact, SSOE has had many requests on how others can donate in his memory. Working with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, SSOE has created a fund to provide donations to a cause near and dear to Nate’s heart: The ProMedica Flower Hospital Hickman Cancer Center. Click here to learn more.
Both the scholarship and the fund will ensure that Nate’s legacy will continue to inspire and support aspiring engineers for years to come.
