Texas Tech’s Whitacre College of Engineering to Receive $48,500 from Exxon Mobil Corp.

Texas Tech University Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering will receive $48,500 in departmental grants from Exxon Mobil Corp. The funds are part of $2 million contributed to 81 colleges and universities throughout the country to support various academic programs.

The grant allows selected academic departments to allocate the money for various educational purposes including scholarships, field trips, visiting speakers, equipment purchases, student and faculty travel to academic-related activities, and other educational projects. ExxonMobil awards the grants to schools that offer degrees in subjects from which it recruits employees.

“Supporting higher education has always been a strong priority for Exxon Mobil,” said Truman Bell, senior program officer for education and diversity, Exxon Mobil. “This program enables us to provide funding to colleges and universities who play a pivotal role in preparing students to enter the workforce. Exxon Mobil is proud to provide support to Texas Tech which will help to enhance departments whose academic focus aligns with the workforce needs of Exxon Mobil.”

The amount of the grant is based on several factors including the number of employees graduated from the specific university.

The Departmental Grants Program represents only a portion of Exxon Mobil’s overall support of education. In 2009, ExxonMobil Foundation, Exxon Mobil Corp., and its divisions and affiliates provided $98 million in contributions to educational initiatives worldwide.