Texas Tech University Recognizes ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars

By Robert D. Waller for Texas Tech University | September 29, 2009

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The newest ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars at Texas Tech University were recognized September 21 during an event with ConocoPhillips officials on the Texas Tech University campus.

Twenty students, including nine returning SPIRIT scholars, were recognized by ConocoPhillips, the third-largest integrated energy company in the United States. Now in its third year at Texas Tech University, the SPIRIT Scholars Program provides educational opportunities to business, engineering and geosciences students interested in pursuing a career in the energy industry.

Students accepted into the program receive a scholarship of $5,000 per year. Along with financial support, SPIRIT scholars are matched with a ConocoPhillips mentor to assist in networking and career development that underscores the ConocoPhillips corporate values of safety, people, integrity, responsibility, innovation and teamwork (SPIRIT).

Earlier that day, ConocoPhillips presented Texas Tech University System officials with a $500,000 donation that included $150,000 in funding for the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars Program.

“Texas Tech is proud of its corporate relationship with ConocoPhillips and the successes of our SPIRIT scholars,” said Elizabeth G. Haley, associate vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement. “Our students benefit from the educational opportunities ConocoPhillips provides, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with this energy leader.”

SPIRIT scholars at Texas Tech University must have completed 30 hours of coursework with a 3.25 GPA and be enrolled as a full-time student majoring in engineering, accounting, energy commerce or finance. Students pursuing graduate studies in geosciences may also apply.

“As students, scholarship support from ConocoPhillips allows us to fulfill the dream of getting a college degree,” said Ashlee Schertz, an energy commerce major from Sanger, Texas, and ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholar.

“It is refreshing to know that ConocoPhillips is a company that is willing to invest in students, not only by providing this scholarship, but also by creating such a unique program that is designed to provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our personal and professional growth and development.”

The Texas Tech University ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars for 2009–2010 include:

• Pejmon Abrarpour, mechanical engineering major from Katy, Texas.
• Christen Bahret, energy commerce major from Katy, Texas.
• Aaron Clements, mechanical engineering major from Flint, Texas.
• Clay Cowling, energy commerce major from Lubbock, Texas.
• Kimberly Davis, chemical engineering major from San Antonio.
• Ryan Dixon, energy commerce major from Houston.
• Anne Freeman, chemical engineering major from Artesia, N.M.
• Jessica Goldsmith, petroleum engineering major from Midland, Texas.
• Jeanette Knight, chemical engineering major from Houston.
• Brandon Lakatta, engineering commerce major from Mansfield, Texas.
• Nick Lehman, mechanical engineering major from Vernon, Texas.
• Amber Lubbers, mechanical engineering major from Midland, Texas.
• Robert Morrison, energy commerce major from Corpus Christi, Texas.
• Michael Muncy,  geology master’s student from Fort Worth, Texas.
• Joseph Patterson, petroleum engineering major from Wooster, Ohio.
• Timothy Patterson, electrical engineering major from Lubbock, Texas.
• Ashley Ray, chemical engineering major from Dallas.
• Ashlee Schertz, engineering commerce major from Sanger, Texas.
• Brian Schmitt, petroleum engineering major from Rowlett, Texas.
• Maaroof Shahriar, petroleum engineering doctoral student from United Arab Emirates.

Last year, the SPIRIT Scholars Program provided scholarship support for 318 students at eight institutions including Texas Tech University, Colorado School of Mines, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas and University of Tulsa. To date, the program has impacted 39 students at Texas Tech University.

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