Chevron's Pascagoula refinery gives $60,000 to MSU engineering

University Relations News Bureau (662) 325-3442 Contact: Phil Hearn December 02, 2005
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Steve Renfroe, center, public and government affairs manager for Chevron Corp.'s Pascagoula refinery, recently presented a $60,000 check to Kirk Schulz, right, dean of MSU's Bagley College of Engineering, for a variety of departments and programs within the college. Also on hand for the presentation was Blake Hudson, left, development director for the college.

Steve Renfroe, center, public and government affairs manager for Chevron Corp.'s Pascagoula refinery, recently presented a $60,000 check to Kirk Schulz, right, dean of MSU's Bagley College of Engineering, for a variety of departments and programs within the college. Also on hand for the presentation was Blake Hudson, left, development director for the college.

STARKVILLE, Miss.--Chevron Corp.'s Pascagoula refinery is giving $60,000 to Mississippi State's Bagley College of Engineering to support a variety of departments and programs.

Steve Renfroe, public and government affairs manager for the refinery, recently presented the check to college Dean Kirk Schulz. The gift also will count toward the university's "State of the Future" campaign.

The 127-year-old institution is in the midst of its largest capital campaign to raise $400 million by the end of 2008. Since counting began in July 2001, the effort has received more than $255 million in private gifts.

"We have identified key areas at the university that we feel complement and support our business strategies," said Roland Kell, general manager of the Pascagoula refinery.

"We feel that by supporting both the academic development of the students and the personal development through outreach programs and student organizations, we are laying the foundation for future outstanding employees," he added.

The $60,000 will be distributed to the following areas within the MSU college, including:

--$7,000 to student organizations, projects and recognition events;

--$21,500 in unrestricted cash grants to various engineering departments, including $6,000 to chemical engineering, $2,500 to civil engineering, $4,000 to electrical and computer engineering, $6,000 to mechanical engineering, and $3,000 to the college;

--$15,000 to the college's K-12 outreach programs for minorities and women;

--$1,500 for cooperative education; and

--$15,000 for engineering scholarships.

In addition, Chevron also is providing $7,500 to the college for sponsorship of the regional conference of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, which will be held at MSU in March 2006.

"Chevron has been one of the Bagley College of Engineering's most generous corporate supporters," said Schulz. "We appreciate the personal interest Chevron has taken in our programs and our students."

For more information, contact Julie Lemons at (662) 325-8098 or jlemons@engr.msstate.edu.