ConocoPhillips Contributes $400,000 to Texas Tech University

Written by Cory Chandler

Texas Tech University announces a $400,000 gift from ConocoPhillips to establish a scholarship endowment and to support academic enhancement programs at the university. 

Known as the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars Program, a portion of the gift will be used to provide financial assistance for business, geosciences and engineering students who are seeking a career in the energy industry.  The highly successful program is currently underwritten by ConocoPhillips at six other universities around the U.S.   

Students accepted to the SPIRIT Scholars Program will receive scholarships of $5,000 annually, with the potential for an additional $1,000 following a successful internship with ConocoPhillips.

"Through our growing partnership with Texas Tech University, we understand both the academic and financial demands that its students face," said Phil Frederickson, executive vice president, ConocoPhillips. "We hope that our gift will lessen the burden for students who have shown both a deep interest in, and aptitude for, business or engineering."

"ConocoPhillips has long been a champion of higher education," said Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance.  "Their financial support helps to fortify the talent pool of future business leaders that Texas Tech University is proud to produce.  We are most grateful for their support and contribution."

The SPIRIT Scholars Program includes more than 200 recipients at six universities throughout the U.S.  It helps to provide educational opportunities to full-time business administration and engineering students with a GPA of 3.25 or above, who are interested in pursuing a career in the energy industry.

"While the education students receive on the Texas Tech campus is an important component in preparing them for their future careers, the kinds of opportunities for development and mentoring that this scholarship program will provide are invaluable as well," said Texas Tech President Jon Whitmore. "Partners like ConocoPhillips are essential in helping us provide the best of educational experiences for our students."

The SPIRIT program was created to represent the core values of ConocoPhillips: Safety, People, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Teamwork.

CONTACT:    Alicia Knight, development officer, Office of Institutional Advancement, Texas Tech University, (806) 742-1828 or alicia.knight@ttu.edu.