BASF awards $15,000 in scholarships to LSU engineering students

GEISMAR, LA,October 14, 2013 -- BASF has awarded $15,000 in scholarships to six outstanding engineering students at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as part of the BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship Fund.

“Graduates in engineering and science are essential to the success of BASF and many other industries in our region,” said Tom Yura, Senior Vice President and Manager of the BASF site in Geismar, Louisiana. “Our Team Chemistry Scholarship Fund is not only an investment in our communities where we provide rewarding careers for Louisiana's top academic achievers, but also an investment in the next generation of BASF leaders." 

The company plans to award another $10,000 in BASF Team Chemistry scholarship during the spring semester and will recognize an LSU Professor of Excellence each semester. Additionally, BASF employees mentor and support students through various programs and organizations on campus.

"BASF is a key corporate partner for the College of Engineering and provides the resources necessary to help our graduates transition to successful careers," said Rick Koubek, Dean, LSU's College of Engineering. "Through BASF's support of the Team Chemistry Scholarship Fund, these College of Engineering students will receive assistance to succeed both in the classroom and the workplace."

The students, who each received a $2,500 scholarship from BASF, have displayed academic success in their fields of study and are active members on the LSU campus and in the community:

William Fruge, a junior chemical engineering major, has made the Chancellor's Honor Roll at LSU since fall 2011 and completed two years of engineering coursework at South Louisiana Community College. A graduate of Notre Dame High School in Crowley, Louisiana, Fruge received the school's top graduate honor, the Victoria Reggie Award, as well as the Knights of Columbus Catholic Leadership Award. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He plans to graduate from LSU in May 2015.

Breanna Lee, a sophomore chemical engineering major, is earning a minor in business administration. As a Baton Rouge Magnet High graduate, she is a Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (LA-STEM) Research Scholar, a Society of Women Engineers Scholar, a Rubicon Academic Excellence Scholar, a Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation Educational Advancement Opportunity Scholar and a recipient of the Tiger Excellence Scholars Award. She serves as webmaster for the Society of Women Engineers and is a youth development professional for Boys and Girls Club of America and AmeriCorps. She plans to graduate from LSU in May 2017.

Amy Olson is a junior civil engineering major and a research assistant in the Civil Engineering Department. She also has served as a research assistant in the Advanced Materials Research Institute. Amy was valedictorian and National Merit Finalist at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy in Metairie, Louisiana. She is a recipient of the LSU Alumni Association Global Leaders Scholarship and the LSU Flagship Scholars Award and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Volunteers LSU. She plans to graduate from LSU in May 2016.

Andrew Pham, a junior chemical engineering major, is a research assistant in LSU's Cain Department of Chemical Engineering. He is president of the Student Learning Organization and a member of LSU Diversity Ambassadors and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He is a recipient of an LA-STEM Research Scholarship, the LSU Academic Scholars Award and Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) Honors Award. Andrew was salutatorian of John Ehret High School in Harvey, Louisiana.

Jessica Pyles, a junior mechanical engineering major, is a student worker for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and previously served as a project engineer intern for SNF Flopam Inc. Last year she was an English language tutor at Wildwood Elementary School in Baton Rouge. She is a member of the LSU Deans List and recipient of the Leadership Award. Jessica attended Rain Forest International School in Cameroon, Africa, where she lettered in soccer, cross country and volleyball. She plans to graduate from LSU in May 2016.

Eugene Stewart, a junior electrical engineering major, has maintained a 4.0 GPA since enrollment in 2011. He is employed as a computer technician for LSU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He has been named to the Chancellor's Honor Roll for four semesters and is a recipient of the TOPS Honor Scholarship, the Clint Ourso and Jennifer Romine Scholarship and the Brookshire Scholarship. He graduated from Denham Springs High School with a 3.9 GPA.

BASF presented scholarships to the students and recognized them at LSU Tiger Stadium on the Jumbotron during the recent LSU football game against the University of Florida. To learn more about careers at BASF in Louisiana, visit http://www.basf.us/la-jobs.

For press photos, please click on the following links:

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/10-14-13_Fruge.jpg

Suggested caption: William Fruge, a junior chemical engineering major at LSU, was awarded a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/10-14-13_Lee.jpg

Suggested caption: Breanna Lee, a sophomore chemical engineering major at LSU, was awarded a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/10-14-13_Olson.jpg

Suggested caption: Amy Olson, a junior civil engineering major at LSU, was awarded a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/10-14-13_Pham.jpg

Suggested caption: Andrew Pham, a junior chemical engineering major at LSU, was awarded a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/10-14-13_Pyles.jpg

Suggested caption: Jessica Pyles, a junior mechanical engineering major at LSU, was awarded a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/10-14-13_Stewart.jpg

Suggested caption: Eugene Stewart, a junior electrical engineering major, at LSU, was awarded a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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