Spelman College to Receive $1 Million from ExxonMobil to Boost Number of Female Engineers

(BUSINESS WIRE)--ExxonMobil Foundation announced today a $1 million grant to Spelman College to provide scholarships to black women pursuing technology-related degrees. The Women in Science and Engineering Scholars program is the second contribution from the company to help facilitate the recruitment, retention and graduation of black females pursuing degrees in chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science.

“This generous investment will help build on this achievement by enhancing our capacity to develop and prepare women for successful leadership in the fields of math and science.”

“ExxonMobil has had a long-term commitment to science and mathematics education and supports educational initiatives to encourage the next generation of engineering scholars,” said Gerald McElvy, president, ExxonMobil Foundation. “As our country continues to diversify and grow, our goal is to promote awareness of the many opportunities for those who hold engineering degrees and to provide the skills needed for students to be successful, especially for the underrepresented sector of women engineering professionals.”

Six students pursuing a major in one of the targeted physical science or mathematics disciplines will be selected annually as ExxonMobil Scholars. Along with tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board, the scholarship will provide research training, mentoring and professional development. The scholars also will participate in 10-week paid summer internships with ExxonMobil or other research-active organizations and have access to research labs at both Spelman and Georgia Tech.

“Spelman College has the distinction of being the leading producer of black females who go on to earn doctoral degrees in science and engineering,” said Beverly Daniel Tatum, president, Spelman College. “This generous investment will help build on this achievement by enhancing our capacity to develop and prepare women for successful leadership in the fields of math and science.”

Applicants must be high school seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, belong to an under-represented minority group in scientific and engineering fields and have a combined SAT score of 1,650 or a composite score of at least 25 on the ACT. For more information, send an e-mail to lwinfield@spelman.edu.

ExxonMobil has a long history with Spelman that started in 1884 when company founder, John D. Rockefeller, paid off the $5,000 debt of a school for recently freed black women in Atlanta, while visiting with his wife and mother-in law. That school was later renamed Spelman College in honor of Mr. Rockefeller’s wife’s family. In addition to the Women in Science and Engineering scholarships with Spelman, ExxonMobil develops and supports programs that encourage students, specifically women and minorities, to develop a keen interest in careers in the math and science and related fields. Nationally, ExxonMobil has supported programs such as the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, the Sally Ride Science Academy brought to you by ExxonMobil, Society of Women Engineers, and Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, among others, designed to promote engineering as a career for women.

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