ConocoPhillips gift supports engineering programs
October 23, 2012
907-474-7902
10/23/12
A new $200,000 gift from ConocoPhillips Alaska will give an immediate boost to engineering programs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The gift augments the ConocoPhillips UAF Engineering Endowment, which was established in 2011 with a $500,000 gift. ConocoPhillips has directed its most recent gift to the spendable portion of the endowment, meaning the funding will be available today to support students by enhancing engineering laboratories, increasing the availability of academic support services and building undergraduate research opportunities.
“ConocoPhillips is committed to supporting education and engineering programs that are an investment in Alaska’s workforce,” said Bij Agarwal, vice president of commercial assets for ConocoPhillips Alaska. “And we are pleased to designate this funding for spending now, in order to more directly and immediately benefit students at UAF.”
UAF has been educating engineering students since its inception and ConocoPhillips has a longtime association with the College of Engineering and Mines. The company offers internships to students and many of those students move on to full-time positions when they graduate. Company representatives and alumni serve on the school’s advisory board and give back to the school as volunteers and mentors. In addition, the university and ConocoPhillips have a longstanding tradition of research collaboration.
College of Engineering and Mines dean Doug Goering said the gift is especially timely as UAF ramps up its programs in anticipation of the construction of the new engineering complex and the facility’s opening in 2015.
“This generous gift from ConocoPhillips will provide an immediate boost to our ability to outfit our laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment,” he said. “Our focus will be on areas that intersect with the oil and gas industry, as that is a major area of interest for both our students and faculty.”
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Natalie Lowman, ConocoPhillips Alaska, at 907- 263-4153 or N.M.Lowman@conocophillips.com. Doug Goering, 907-474-7730 or djgoering@alaska.edu.
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