Spring Break
Company donates $1 million to A&M
ConocoPhillips' contribution helps to fund scholarships
By: Patrique Ludan
Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: News
ConocoPhillips, the third largest integrated energy company, donated $1 million to Texas A&M University May 1. A&M is one of eight schools in the U.S. to receive such a contribution.
ConocoPhillips has been giving to Texas A&M for decades, Texas A&M Foundation marketing communications specialist Mary Vinnedge said.
"This is a typical gift from ConocoPhillips," she said. "They have given to other programs in differing amounts, however. They are a longtime Texas A&M supporter."
The Department of Scholarships and Financial Aid received approximately $400,000 from the donation. Part of the department and one of the main recipients of the funds is the SPIRIT Scholars Program.
The SPIRIT Scholars Program, which operates at seven other universities, began at A&M in 2003 and provides "academic scholarships, additional financial support for enrichment programs and activities, mentoring opportunities with ConocoPhillips professionals and opportunities to interview for internships and full-time employment at ConocoPhillips," according to a press release by the Texas A&M Foundation.
"[The SPIRIT Scholarship] not only provides [recipients] with their money for schooling, but also the scholarship requires them to participate in enrichment activities each month," said Texas A&M SPIRIT Scholarship coordinator Judi Haas. "A different activity, that is cultural, community or leadership related, that each month a student will need to fulfill."
Activities that scholars participated in ranged from attending a show hosted by OPAS in March to volunteering at the Brazos River Valley Food Bank in December, Haas said.
Aggies participating in the SPIRIT Program must maintain a 3.25 grade-point average in order to keep their $5,000 per year scholarship with the possibility of an additional $1,000 if the student completes a successful internship with ConocoPhillips.
"At ConocoPhillips we recognize the importance of learning and leadership opportunities," said ConocoPhillips non-conventional resources general manager David Barrington. "By providing exceptional students with these opportunities, we are helping to develop the leaders of tomorrow."
ConocoPhillips has been giving to Texas A&M for decades, Texas A&M Foundation marketing communications specialist Mary Vinnedge said.
"This is a typical gift from ConocoPhillips," she said. "They have given to other programs in differing amounts, however. They are a longtime Texas A&M supporter."
The Department of Scholarships and Financial Aid received approximately $400,000 from the donation. Part of the department and one of the main recipients of the funds is the SPIRIT Scholars Program.
The SPIRIT Scholars Program, which operates at seven other universities, began at A&M in 2003 and provides "academic scholarships, additional financial support for enrichment programs and activities, mentoring opportunities with ConocoPhillips professionals and opportunities to interview for internships and full-time employment at ConocoPhillips," according to a press release by the Texas A&M Foundation.
"[The SPIRIT Scholarship] not only provides [recipients] with their money for schooling, but also the scholarship requires them to participate in enrichment activities each month," said Texas A&M SPIRIT Scholarship coordinator Judi Haas. "A different activity, that is cultural, community or leadership related, that each month a student will need to fulfill."
Activities that scholars participated in ranged from attending a show hosted by OPAS in March to volunteering at the Brazos River Valley Food Bank in December, Haas said.
Aggies participating in the SPIRIT Program must maintain a 3.25 grade-point average in order to keep their $5,000 per year scholarship with the possibility of an additional $1,000 if the student completes a successful internship with ConocoPhillips.
"At ConocoPhillips we recognize the importance of learning and leadership opportunities," said ConocoPhillips non-conventional resources general manager David Barrington. "By providing exceptional students with these opportunities, we are helping to develop the leaders of tomorrow."
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