LULAC National Education Service Centers Inc. Announces ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship Program Recipients
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) is pleased to
announce the 2016-17 ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship program national
recipient, Alexander Plant of Houston, Texas, and twelve local awardees
from across LNESC’s program sites. Mr. Plant will receive a four-year
$20,000 scholarship to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at
Southern Methodist University, and be recognized at the 87th
Annual LULAC National Convention in Washington, D.C. in July.
“I am extremely grateful to ExxonMobil and LNESC for investing in
educational opportunities to Hispanic students such as myself. This
scholarship will help me tremendously in realizing my educational goals
at Southern Methodist University. Further, receiving this prestigious
award reinforces my confidence that my commitment to hard work will
result into a successful career in engineering,” stated Mr. Plant.
Funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation, the program provides high-achieving
Latino seniors with scholarship opportunities to pursue a degree in
engineering at accredited colleges or universities across the country.
Selections are based on academic performance, career interests and
potential, and leadership and community involvement. Local recipients
will receive a one-time $2,000 scholarship for the academic school year.
The 2016-2017 ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship Program local awardees are:
Erin Archibeck – Albuquerque, N.M.; University of Notre Dame;
Engineering
Jordan Balboa – Corpus Christi, Texas; Texas A&M
University; Electrical Engineering
Christopher Botello – San
Antonio, Texas; Rice University; Chemical Engineering
Ariel Brito
– Miami, Fla.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Chemical
Engineering
Edgar Cubillo-Ponce – Kansas City, Kan.;
University of Kansas; Aerospace Engineering
Roberto Garza –
San Antonio, Texas; Texas A&M University; Mechanical Engineering
Tyler
Grijalva – El Paso, Texas; Texas Christian University; Mechanical
Engineering
Colin Ornelas – Grand Prairie, Texas; University
of Texas at Austin; Mechanical Engineering
Ignacio Ortega
Castineiras – Miami, Fla.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology;
Mechanical Engineering
Kevin Santana – Spring, Texas; Texas
A&M University; Civil Engineering
Nicolas Terrazas –
Houston, Texas; Rice University; Mechanical Engineering
Luis
Vazquez Delgado – Dallas, Texas; University of Texas at Austin;
Biomedical Engineering
“As the number of Latino students enrolling in colleges and universities
increases, we continue to see the number of those pursing a degree in
science and engineering remain stagnant at less than 10 percent
according to the National Science Board. For this reason, it is
important we provide financial resources to help those pursuing degrees
in the STEM fields. We are proud to announce as of this year, LNESC has
awarded over $130,000 to such promising Latino students across LNESC’s
program sites through our partnership with ExxonMobil,” said LNESC
Executive Director, Richard Roybal.
According to the Pew Research Hispanic Center, a record-setting 69
percent of Hispanic high school graduates enrolled in college last year.
Despite the attainment gap narrowing, however, Hispanics continue to lag
behind their counterparts in obtaining a bachelor’s degree, especially
in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines.
About LNESC
Since 1973, LNESC has focused on creating a menu of developmentally
appropriate educational initiatives. These model programs are designed
to help the organization reach its mission of providing the highest
quality education programs needed to help members of the Hispanic
community become life-long learners and leaders. Through these efforts,
LNESC has contributed to the academic success of 500,000 promising
Hispanic and disadvantaged students and has provided more than $20
million to nearly 26,000 students.
More information about LNESC and its programs can be found at www.lnesc.org.
About The ExxonMobil Foundation
The ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon
Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) in the United States. The foundation and
corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance
education, promote women as catalysts for economic development and
combat malaria. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to
improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education
levels. In 2015, the ExxonMobil Foundation together with Exxon Mobil
Corporation, its divisions and affiliates along with employees and
retirees, provided $268 million in contributions worldwide. www.exxonmobil.com/community.
Contacts
LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc.
Marianna Moron,
202-835-9646 ext. 114
LNESC Director of National Programs &
Scholarships
mmoron@LNESC.org
