DeKalb Mechanical honors founder with annual $15,000 NIU Scholarship

Business succession can be messy or even acrimonious, perhaps most dramatically reflected in the HBO Max series “Succession.”

Then there are stories like DeKalb Mechanical Inc.

The company’s ownership changed hands in January, but in addition to that transaction the new owner had something special in mind to honor the previous one: the creation of an annual $15,000 scholarship for mechanical engineering majors at Northern Illinois University’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET).

The fund, established in company founder Stephen Doonan’s name, was established by his successor, Kurt Mattson.

At first, Mattson was stumped about what would represent the most fitting gesture.

Then, several months ago, the idea came to him as he reflected on Doonan’s consistent focus on serving others, from his active church engagement to extensive industry and civic involvement to DeKalb Mechanical customers.

“Because of that history, I thought maybe we’ll try to bless other people, which is always what Steve is very well known for,” Mattson said. “He is a very caring person. I think he understands customer service more than anyone I have ever met.”

Doonan said he was surprised and humbled by the news.

“I’m kind of a behind-the-scenes guy. I don’t do a lot of splashy things and so this is a little bit out of my comfort zone,” he said. “At the same time, I am very appreciative. To be able to give back to the university and to the students is a great thing; I appreciate all that NIU has done for me.”

A 1983 NIU graduate with a degree in industrial technology, Stephen and his wife Cathy are both NIU grads. Their four daughters are likewise all Huskie grads, including one from CEET. In addition, two of their sons-in-law are CEET graduates.

Doonan was inducted into the NIU Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2013 for his business, civic, and philanthropic endeavors. Over the years, his close ties to CEET have come on a variety of levels, including sponsoring a team in the Senior Design Project Showcase that resulted in his obtaining a patent, serving as a volunteer judge for senior design projects, and volunteering with the Engineering and Technology Alumni Society (ETAS).

After joining DeKalb Mechanical in 2011 as a project manager, Mattson acquired the firm in January. Doonan, who had owned the company since its 1991 founding, is now the company’s vice president. He is gradually transitioning into retirement from a firm that has grown into one of the area’s largest heating and air conditioning contractors.