Attention high school students:
Posted by news
Thanks to a gift from Missouri University of Science and Technology graduate
Stephen Rector and his wife Susan, multiple scholarships are available to
incoming freshmen interested in pursuing degrees in petroleum engineering at
Missouri S&T.
The Rectors have created a $1 million endowment at Missouri S&T to
provide for the scholarships. Eight students received support through the
endowment last year, which was the first time the scholarships were
given.
“We could easily double the number of scholarships awarded this year,” says
Dr. Shari Dunn-Norman, associate professor of petroleum engineering at Missouri
S&T.
The scholarships, which are based on academic performance and
extra-curricular activities in high school, are awarded to incoming freshmen
who plan to major in petroleum engineering. The amount of the scholarships
ranges from $1,000 to
$3,000.
Dunn-Norman says good candidates will be strong in math and science, and
have an interest in pursuing a career related to energy or earth
science.
“We are looking for imaginative high school seniors who want to major in an
engineering field,” Dunn-Norman
says.
Among all Missouri S&T graduates, petroleum engineers enjoy some of the
highest salaries. Last year’s graduates earned starting salaries of up to
$85,000, not including bonuses and perks, according to
Dunn-Norman.
About 75 students are currently enrolled in petroleum engineering classes at
Missouri S&T, but the university plans to grow the program moderately.
Missouri S&T offers bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in petroleum
engineering.
Only 17 universities in the United States have petroleum engineering
programs. “With so few graduates in the pipeline, employment has been assured
for good students,” Dunn-Norman
says.
The deadline to apply for one of the 2008 scholarships is March 15. For more
information, email Dunn-Norman at caolila@mst.edu . Additional information
about the petroleum engineering program is available at http://gse.mst.edu/ .
