S. Falck Nielson Family Scholarship

Since the 1970s, the Nielsen Family has continued to contribute to the success and development of the UCSD campus. With the construction of the Geisel Library, by the Nielsen Construction Company with Swinerton & Walberg, and later the establishment of the S. Falck Nielsen Family Endowment Scholarship Fund, the Nielsen Family has continued to leave legacies that promote the success of UCSD students.

The S. Falck Nielsen Family Scholarship was established to provide financial support to undergraduate students with financial need.

S. Falck "Neil" Nielsen was a native of Norway and arrived in San Diego in 1935. Here he met his wife Charlotte and together they had four daughters and one son. In 1945, the Nielsens founded the Nielsen Construction Company. Soon the Nielsen Construction Co. became one of the largest general contractors in San Diego. The Nielsen Construction Company was responsible for some of San Diego most recognized landmarks such as Emerald Plaza, Hyatt Aventine Complex, Sea World and of course the Geisel Library - in addition to other buildings on campus.

Charlotte Nielsen was born in Missouri and won a scholarship to Missouri's Stephens College after graduating high school in 1932. This scholarship made it possible for Charlotte to pursue a college education regardless of her humble background. However, due to the depression of the 1930s Charlotte was forced to forego the idea of a college education in order to work and support the family. Charlotte's passion for education has propelled her into the philanthropic community here in San Diego. Charlotte has been active in Freedom's Foundation, MADCAPS, and USD Auxiliary and the Millennium Society. She has also established scholarship funds at USD and the UCSD Graduate Program in International Affairs.

The Nielsens have always been strong supporters of the education provided at UCSD. Two of the Nielsen's grandchildren have graduated benefited from the rich UCSD education. Rosanne Allison Carpenter received her BA in Sociology in 1980 from Muir College and D. Nielsen Pollock received his BA in Economics from Warren College in 1986.

After the success of the Nielsen Construction Company, Charlotte Nielsen has been able to provide aid to students in their pursuit of a higher education. Since the summer of 2001, with the establishment of the S. Falck Nielsen Family Endowment Scholarship Fund, Charlotte Nielsen has been able to ensure that those who wish to pursuer a higher education can now do so.