BASF awards $10,000 in scholarships to four LSU engineering majors

GEISMAR, LA, April 24, 2015 – BASF awarded $10,000 in scholarships to four engineering students at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Each year, BASF awards scholarships in the spring and fall as part of the BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship Fund.

"BASF considers LSU and the School of Engineering to be our partners in preparing the next generation of engineers, scientists and industry leaders," said Tom Yura, Senior Vice President and Manager of the BASF site in Geismar, Louisiana. “BASF's scholarship program is a way to reward students who excel in their studies, and it encourages them to learn more about careers in our industry."

Each student received a $2,500 scholarship from BASF. Recipients have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages and are active in campus and community organizations.

Stephen Hurdle of Baton Rouge is a junior chemical engineering major and a Catalysis Lab assistant at LSU. He volunteers at Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Bishop Ott Shelter for Men and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Garett Lambert of Luling is a junior chemical engineering major. His work experience includes interning at Valero and Monsanto for the past two summers.
Rachel Nguyen is a junior chemical engineering major and an undergraduate research assistant. She is involved in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and volunteers in the community through Volunteer LSU and the Honors College. She is from Lake Jackson, Texas.
Garrett Sibley is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering. His honors include LSU Chancellor’s Honor Roll, Alpha Lambda Delta, LSU Flagship Scholar Resident, Alumni Global Leaders Award and Balanced Man Semi-Finalist. He was class valedictorian at St. Thomas More Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana. He is a member of the LSU Triathlon Team, a pilot and a musician.

"We appreciate BASF's continued support of the LSU's College of Engineering and its students," said Rick Koubek, Dean of LSU’s College of Engineering. "In addition to scholarships, the company’s donation of $1 million to establish the BASF Sustainable Living Lab as part of the new LSU College of Engineering building will provide opportunities for students to gain real-world experience through design projects and other programs that help prepare them for careers."

BASF’s manufacturing presence near LSU includes operations in Geismar, the corporation’s largest site in North America, Zachary and Vidalia. BASF employs a workforce of around 2,000 people in Louisiana and invests nearly $300 million in the state through annual payroll, purchases, taxes and charitable contributions. Visit www.basf.us/la for more information.

Download photo on right, suggested caption photo #1: Steve Hurdle, a junior majoring in chemical engineering, was one of four LSU students to receive a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship

Download photo on right, suggested caption photo #2: Garett Lambert, a junior majoring in chemical engineering, was one of four LSU students to receive a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

Download photo on right, suggested caption photo #3: Rachel Nguyen, a chemical engineering major, was one of four LSU students to receive a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

Download photo on right, suggested caption photo #4: Garrett Sibley, a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, was one of four LSU students to receive a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20.6 billion in 2014. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, 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 over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 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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