ExxonMobil and SECME Award Scholarships to Minority High School Students for Academic Excellence and Leadership Skills in Math and Science

Business Wire, July 22, 2003

Business Editors

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 2003

2003 ExxonMobil/SECME Scholars Announced at the 26th Annual SECME

Summer Institute

To increase the predominately low number of minority students majoring in math, science and engineering, SECME (formerly the Southeastern Consortium for Minorities in Engineering) and ExxonMobil are working together to encourage an early interest in these academic subjects through educational programs, teacher training and annual scholarships to exemplary math and science students. Today, at the 26th annual SECME Summer Institute, one overall winner and 13 other senior high students were named the 2003 ExxonMobil/SECME Scholars.

The students, selected from nominees across the 18-state SECME network, were recognized as the most outstanding SECME senior high-school students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership skills, a commitment to engineering as a career, and plans to attend a four-year accredited college. Students attending SECME Schools benefit from hands-on teaching strategies and a curriculum that enables them to learn first-hand about career opportunities in engineering and secondary-level prerequisites for collegiate study.

"SECME's mission is to directly influence student success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Dr. Yvonne Freeman, executive director of SECME. "Our plan is to showcase the many facets of science and engineering so that young people are exposed to the vast array of engineering fields, beyond the more well-known areas like chemical, civil or electrical engineering. Many kids are not interested in engineering because they don't understand what engineers really do or the many career options that engineering offers. The ExxonMobil/SECME Scholars are an exceptional group -- they have worked hard, they are focused, and they deserve to be recognized."

"ExxonMobil continues to support educational programs that help create science-savvy citizens," said Truman Bell, education program officer at ExxonMobil Foundation. "We strongly encourage students to succeed in math and science, and we support them by partnering with organizations such as SECME."

The SECME Summer Institute, currently taking place July 13- 24, 2003 at Tennessee State University, is held every year at participating engineering universities. Scholars are recognized at the "Celebration of Success" banquet and receive an all-expense-paid trip to participate in the four-day National Student Program at the Summer Institute, a cash award, a plaque and other gifts. For more information about the 2003 SECME Summer Institute, visit www.secme.org.

About ExxonMobil Foundation

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation engages in a broad range of philanthropic activities focusing on the communities where Exxon Mobil Corporation has significant operations. In addition, the Foundation supports research and dissemination on selected topics of national interest to the energy industry. Focus areas include education, health and environment. In 2002, ExxonMobil Foundation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, and its divisions and affiliates provided $98 million in contributions worldwide. For more information, please visit www.exxonmobil.com.

About SECME

SECME is a pre-college alliance partnering 111 school systems (1,100 K-12 schools), 43 engineering universities, and 70 corporate/government investors. Its programs last year enrolled some 20,000 students, including some 3,500 seniors who are eligible to apply for undergraduate scholarships awarded by SECME and its member universities. SECME's mission is to increase the pool of under-represented(1) students who are prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Since its founding in 1975, SECME has trained more than 4,000 teachers at its summer institutes and graduated nearly 75,000 seniors, 90 percent of whom enroll in four-year colleges. For more information, please visit www.secme.org.

(1) African American, Hispanic, Mexican American, Native American

                    2003 ExxonMobil/SECME Scholars

Overall Scholar:
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Kentucky
Olumakinde Adeagbo
duPont Manual Magnet High School
Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville

State Scholars:
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Alabama
Jaime Nicole Lewis
Selma High School
Selma City Schools

Arkansas
Akinsulere Arikawe
McClellan High School
Little Rock School District

Bahamas
Jaims Carey
Freeport Anglican School District
Grand Bahama Island

Florida
Ronald John Gicka, Jr.
Lakewood High School, Center for Advanced Technologies
Pinellas County School District

Ricky Ly
Suncoast Community High School
School District of Palm Beach County

Georgia
Rodrigus Molden
Benjamin E. Mays High School
Atlanta Public Schools

Louisiana
Diedria Williams
Plaquemine High School
Iberville Parish School District

Maryland
Danielle Murphy
Gwynn Park High School
Brandywine, Md.

Lauren Wilson
Largo High School
Prince George's County Schools

Mississippi
Keeyon M. Upkins
Jim Hill High School
Jackson Public Schools

Tennessee
Tiffany Johnson
Northside High School
Memphis City Schools

Texas
Pegah Javidpour
Booker T. Washington High School for Engineering Professions
Houston Independent School District

Virginia
Jane Yarney
Charlottesville High School
Charlottesville Public Schools