ExxonMobil Corporation provides $1.7M in grants to 84 universities for academic programs

Thursday, October 4, 2007

ExxonMobil Corporation announced Thursday that $1.7 million has been contributed in departmental grants to 84 colleges and universities nationwide to support various academic programs.

Through this program, Oklahoma State University will receive $45,000 from ExxonMobil, which will be directed toward the Spears School of Business and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.

The unrestricted 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.

"Supporting higher education has always been a strong priority for ExxonMobil," said Tom Marcotte, Global Recruiting Organization, ExxonMobil. "This program enables us to provide funding to colleges and universities that play a pivotal role in preparing students to enter the workforce. ExxonMobil is proud to provide support to Oklahoma State University which will help to enhance departments whose academic focus aligns with the workforce needs of ExxonMobil."

ExxonMobil awards the grants based on schools that offer degrees in subjects from which it recruits employees. The grant amount is based on several factors, including the number and performance of employees from the specific university working with ExxonMobil.

“We are extremely grateful for this gift, which will help us continue our pursuit of academic excellence at Oklahoma State University. ExxonMobil is a valuable partner and is to be commended for everything it does for higher education,” said interim OSU System CEO and President Marlene Strathe.

ExxonMobil was the university’s largest corporate matching donor in 2007, and the corporation has donated nearly $5 million to a variety of OSU programs and scholarships for more than three decades.

The Department Grants Program represents only a portion of ExxonMobil's overall education support. In 2006, ExxonMobil Foundation, ExxonMobil Corporation, and its divisions and affiliates provided $54 million in contributions to educational initiatives worldwide.