From the Desert to the Brazos Valley

How did you choose Texas A&M University?

When I was thinking about where to attend college, I knew I wanted to move somewhere new. Not only was Texas A&M the perfect distance from home, but campus also had this friendly, energetic culture that I could see myself fitting into. Receiving the President’s Endowed Scholarship really sealed the deal for me as it alleviated the financial burden that being an out-of-state student imposed. I was a little nervous when I first moved here, but with time, I made friends and settled into my classes. I even joined a DJ club on campus! I do find myself missing home and the Arizona desert every now and then, but I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.

What drew you to major in materials science and engineering?

The emphasis on chemistry and the fact that it was a newly developed major. As a kid, I loved reading. My parents took me and my brother to the library at least once a week, and books about the periodic table, chemists and alchemy always caught my eye. Learning about the distinct personalities of different elements and how they interact with each other captivated me. When I heard about the recently established major in materials science and engineering, I found the opportunity to be part of something so new really exciting. After seeing that I would also have the chance to dive into chemistry with this field of study, I was hooked.

Where do you see your studies taking you in the next few years?

Right now, I’m just taking life one day at a time and trying to get through my classes. I love chemistry, but it can be pretty challenging at times! This semester, I plan to get more involved in research to gain further experience working with different chemicals. After graduation, I’d really like to enter the industry and perhaps eventually start a master’s program. Ultimately, I hope my future discoveries will contribute to this exciting field of science. Only time will tell!

Attracting Top Talent

For more than 50 years, the President’s Endowed Scholarship (PES) program has attracted top scholars from across the nation to attend Texas A&M University. As the recipients of the most prestigious academic merit scholarship awarded by the university, students in the PES program embody the Aggie value of leadership through academic achievement.

Individuals or groups can establish a PES endowment with a one-time gift of $100,000 or through a series of gifts over a period of up to five years. A PES may also be created through your estate plan. The endowment’s stipend funds one student for four years while also providing a bonus to support a study abroad experience. Managed to provide for both the current student and the long-term growth of the principal, a PES endowment will continue  funding the education of top scholars for years to come.

To learn more about creating a PES, contact Marcy Ullmann ’86, senior director of scholarship programs, at (979) 845-6383 or mullmann@txamfoundation.com.