ExxonMobil and SECME Award Scholarships to Minority High School Students for Academic Excellence and Leadership in Math and Science

July 9, 2004 at 11:36 AM EDT
    IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 9, 2004--

   2004 ExxonMobil SECME Scholars Announced at the 28th Annual SECME
                           Summer Institute

ExxonMobil and SECME, a pre-college alliance, honored 21 senior high school students as 2004 ExxonMobil SECME Scholars at a recent ceremony at the 28th annual SECME Summer Institute. The ExxonMobil SECME Scholar Program, designed to increase the number of minority students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, encourages an early interest in these academic subjects. Programs include teacher training and annual scholarships to exemplary math and science students.

SECME was established in 1975 by engineering deans at seven southeastern universities to increase the pool of historically under-represented and under-served students who will be prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, thus creating a diverse and globally competitive workforce. Today that alliance extends to schools, universities, science- and technology-based businesses, and government agencies in 17 states, Washington, D.C. and Grand Bahamas.

Students attending SECME schools benefit from hands-on teaching strategies and a curriculum that enables them to learn first-hand about career opportunities in engineering and secondary-level prerequisites for collegiate study. The 2004 Scholars, selected from nominees across the SECME network, were recognized as the most outstanding SECME senior high school students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership skills, a commitment to engineering as a career, and plans to attend a four-year accredited college.

"SECME strives to directly influence student success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Dr. Yvonne Freeman, executive director of SECME. "By introducing students to numerous disciplines within these areas, students learn about the range of fields and career options that are available. The ExxonMobil SECME scholarships are an important way to recognize these students for their hard work in these subjects and encourage them to pursue careers in these fields."

ExxonMobil supports education programs throughout the world and funds initiatives that improve student learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at all levels of education. In 2003, ExxonMobil dedicated more than $37 million to education initiatives.

"ExxonMobil supports educational programs that foster the development of the next generation of science-savvy citizens," said Truman Bell, education program officer at ExxonMobil Foundation. "Partnering with SECME is one of the ways we strongly encourage students to succeed in math and science."

The SECME Summer Institute, which took place June 20 - July 1 at the University of Houston, is held every year at participating engineering universities. SECME Scholars receive an all expense paid trip to participate in the four-day National Student Program at the Summer Institute and a cash award. For more information about the 2004 SECME Summer Institute, visit www.secme.org.

About ExxonMobil Foundation

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation engages in a broad range of philanthropic activities focusing on the communities where Exxon Mobil Corporation has significant operations. In addition, the Foundation supports research and dissemination on selected topics of national interest to the energy industry. Focus areas include education, health and environment. In 2003, ExxonMobil Foundation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and its divisions and affiliates provided $103 million in contributions worldwide. For more information, please visit www.exxonmobil.com.

About SECME

SECME is a pre-college alliance partnering 111 school systems (1,100 K-12 schools), 43 engineering universities, and 70 corporate/government investors. Its programs last year enrolled some 20,000 students, including some 3,500 seniors who are eligible to apply for undergraduate scholarships awarded by SECME and its member universities. SECME's mission is to increase the pool of under-represented(1) students who are prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Since its founding in 1975, SECME has trained more than 4,000 teachers at its summer institutes and graduated nearly 75,000 seniors, 90 percent of whom enroll in four-year colleges. For more information, please visit www.secme.org.

(1) African American, Hispanic, Mexican American, Native American


                    2004 ExxonMobil SECME Scholars

Overall Scholar:
Manuel Rivas
Miami Coral Park Senior High School
Miami, Florida


State Scholars:
Alabama
Tran Nguyen
W. P. Davidson High School
Mobile, Alabama

Arkansas
Teneisha Ricks
McClellan Magnet High School
Little Rock, Arkansas

Florida
Manuel Rivas
Miami Coral Park Senior High School
Miami, Florida

Alejandro Palma
G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School
Miami, Florida

Jeremy Martin
Suncoast High School
Riviera Beach, Florida

Dayan Paez
Maritime and Science Technology High School
Miami, Florida

Kendra Prier
Buchholz High School
Gainesville, Florida

Georgia
Wesley Willis
Westlake High School
Atlanta, Georgia

Kentucky
Akinwande Lalude
DuPont Manual High School
Louisville, Kentucky

Louisiana
Tiffany Griffin
Plaquemine High School
Plaquemine, Louisiana

Maryland
Katrina Cork
Gwynn Park High School
Brandywine, Maryland

Brandon Small
St. John's College High School
Washington, D.C.

Mississippi
Roderick Holmes
Broad Street High School
Shelby, Mississippi

New York
Mark Banks
Morris High School
Bronx, New York

Martino Barletta
Fowler High School
Syracuse, New York

North Carolina
Emily Nwakpuda
Hillside High School
Durham, North Carolina

South Carolina
Rayschard House
A.C. Flora High School
Columbia, South Carolina

Tennessee
Tiffany Abdullahi
White Station High School
Memphis, Tennessee

Texas
Micaela Casas
DeBakey High School for Health Professions
Houston, Texas

Virginia
Daniel Lobo
Charlottesville High School
Charlottesville, Virginia

Bahamas
Gadryn Higgs
Grand Bahama Catholic High School
Freeport, Bahamas



    CONTACT: Weber Shandwick
             Sonya Thorpe, 972-830-4771
             sthorpe@webershandwick.com

    SOURCE: ExxonMobil
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