ConocoPhillips’ $1.4 Million Pledge Sustains Strong Partnership

With a $1.4 million pledge, ConocoPhillips will contribute to Marquez Hall and will substantially increase its generous annual support for the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars Program and other departments and initiatives at Mines.

“This investment reflects our continuing commitment to Colorado School of Mines and its mission to achieve academic excellence in the fields of science, engineering and technology,” said Robert A. Ridge, ConocoPhillips’ vice president for health, safety and environment and a 1971 Mines alumnus.

Over just the last five years, ConocoPhillips has awarded more than $1 million to the school, as well as sponsored research consortia and new projects through the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory. One of the top recruiters on campus, the company currently employs more than 170 Mines graduates.

Since 1998, the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars Program has provided select Mines students with hands-on experience in industry, mentoring and professional development, and valuable leadership and service opportunities. Mines is one of only eight universities in the country at which ConocoPhillips has established this prestigious program, and its continuing support for the school’s SPIRIT Scholars demonstrates the value the company places on a Mines education.

ConocoPhillips’ recent $1 million pledge in support of Marquez Hall brings the school to just over $22 million toward its $25 million goal for the interdisciplinary teaching and research facility. Housing the Petroleum Engineering Department, Marquez Hall will serve as an anchor for campus and a showcase facility for the entire university.

“The Mines community is proud to count ConocoPhillips as one of its most dedicated corporate partners,” President Scoggins said. “And we are thankful for their support as we work toward continued excellence in critical fields related to earth, energy and environment.”


Young Alumni Become Next Generation of Leadership Donors

Even while living abroad and completing his third rotation for Schlumberger in Bangkok, Thailand, Zane Prickett ’03 makes staying connected to Mines a top priority.

“Mines has had a great impact on my career. I believe it is important that, as alumni, we continue to support Mines by giving to the university that played a critical role in our success. We can do that by giving our time or by giving philanthropically,” says Zane.

As a member of the Young Alumni Advisory Committee, Zane is giving both. He and his fellow committee members, all recent graduates, are working together to motivate a new generation of leadership donors. They bring their perspectives as young alumni to the school, hoping to inspire other recent graduates to get involved and make their own contributions.

“We are a group of graduates who realize the importance our Mines education has had on our lives, and we want to show our gratitude,” says Megan Starr, another YAAC member. “I hope other young alumni feel the same way and, in turn, will also donate.”

In addition to inspiring involvement and philanthropy, one of the YAAC’s goals is to connect young alumni donors with projects that they are interested in, whether they include support for The Mines Fund, Arthur Lakes Library, an academic department or an athletics program. Because donors to Mines can choose where to direct their contributions, they can make an impact in the areas that mean the most to them. As an added incentive, young alumni have a special opportunity to join the President’s Council, Mines’ annual giving society, by giving at prorated leadership levels that correspond to their graduation years.

Opportunities abound for Mines’ young alumni to become involved as the school’s next generation of leaders and philanthropic partners. Zane says, “As young alumni, all it takes is that initial step to start giving back. The more we give back to Mines, the more we receive in the future.”

The Young Alumni Advisory Committee is comprised of alumni who have graduated during the last nine years. The YAAC works with the Colorado School of Mines Foundation to help advance and enrich the school and its programs. For more information about this committee or to make a contribution, please visit http://giving.mines.edu/youngalumni or call Sara Pond at 303.273.3136.

2008-2009 Young Alumni Advisory Committee

Jennifer Cho ’07, Chemical Engineering
Chicago, Illinois

Kimberley Kaiser ’04, Geological Engineering, ’05, Environmental Geochemistry
Littleton, Colorado

Derek Kleehammer ’03 ’05, Chemical Engineering
Anchorage, Alaska

Aprill Nelson ’08, Petroleum Engineering
Houston, Texas

Zane Prickett ’03, Chemical Engineering
Bangkok, Thailand

Megan Starr ’06, Petroleum Engineering
Denver, Colorado

Jordan Wiens ’03, Electrical Engineering
Redondo Beach, California


ConocoPhillips commits $1.4 million to Mines; Marathon Oil Company makes nearly $1.2 million in contributions to the school; Other recent gifts

Colorado School of Mines recently received four large gifts:

ConocoPhillips committed $1 million to Marquez Hall and plans to increase its annual contribution to $400,000 this year, which will provide support for the ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholars Program and several departments and programs. The company also gave $40,000 through the ConocoPhillips Faculty Support Program and $10,000 to the Oil Shale Symposium.

Marathon Oil Company made contributions totaling $1,173,300 toward the Marquez Hall building project, the Marathon Center of Excellence for Reservoir Studies, department and faculty support, scholarships and student groups.

The Adolph Coors Foundation contributed a total of $622,000 to support the William K. Coors Distinguished Chair in Chemical Engineering, the Herman F. Coors Professorial Chair in Ceramics and fulfill their pledge of $2,000,000 for the Student Recreation Center.

Bequest distributions totaling $550,000 were received from the estate of Carolyn V. Mann, widow of John F. Mann ’43 and longtime friend and supporter of geology at Mines.

Other recent gifts of $25,000 and more from individuals, corporations and foundations:

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation contributed $25,000 to support the Petroleum
Engineering Department and the student Society of Petroleum Engineers chapter.

The ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation contributed $35,000 toward scholarships for seven students.

CH2M Hill contributed $25,000 to support the Nuclear Science and Engineering Program.

Steve ’64 and Dollie Chesebro’ continued their support of Mines athletics with two gifts totaling $110,000.

Chevron contributed $153,940 to support several departments, programs, and student organizations, as well as to help fund scholarships and fellowships.

The Copper Club contributed $250,000 to establish the Copper Club/Phelps Dodge Legacy Scholarship Fund.

Marshall C. III ’67 and Jane Crouch contributed gifts totaling $70,000 toward the Marquez Hall project and geology teaching and research.

Cytec Industries contributed $30,000 to support chemistry and geochemistry research efforts.

Devon Energy Corporation contributed $62,000 toward scholarships and student groups.

Jack D. Duren ’48 contributed $25,000 to The Mines Fund from his IRA.

The Energy Cup contributed $30,000 to support the Energy Cup Scholarship Fund.

Hershal C., Jr. ’58 and Trudy Ferguson continued their support of the Ferguson Athletic Scholarship Fund and geology at Mines with a $28,000 contribution.

A $50,000 contribution was made to The Mines Fund by the Galena Foundation.

The Halliburton Foundation contributed $50,000 toward scholarships in the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering.

Gifts totaling $61,644 were received from the estate of Victoria M. Heinze in support of the Harold C. Heinze Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Mary Louise Hennebach, widow of Ralph Hennebach ’41, made a $102,708 contribution to the Hennebach Visiting Professorship and Program in the Humanities.

Al T. Ireson ’48 made a $45,000 gift in continued support of the Ireson and Family Endowed Scholarship Fund and gave $5,000 to The Mines Fund.

William Y. Klett, Jr. made a $25,000 gift to establish the Klett Endowed Fund, which will provide support for the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering’s summer field camp program and participating students.

Francis J. ’52 and Mary Labriola contributed $50,000 to The Mines Fund.

The Li Foundation contributed $42,000 for the Li Foundation Fellowships.

Michael G. Long ’72 made a $25,000 contribution in continued support of the Nations Petroleum Endowed Scholarship Fund.

F. H. Merelli ’59 contributed gifts totaling $70,000 to The Mines Fund and the Department of Petroleum Engineering.

Noble Energy Inc. made gifts totaling $135,000 toward scholarships and their $500,000 pledge to the Marquez Hall building project.

Bill F. Oline ’52 contributed $32,305 to the Class of ’52 Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Peabody Holding Company contributed $25,000 to support the Mining Engineering Department.

Questar Corporation contributed $40,000 toward scholarships.

Robert Bosch LLC contributed $35,000 to support research in the Division of Engineering.

Shell Oil Company contributed $115,000 for departmental support, the Career Center, the Minority Engineering Program, the McBride Honors Program, the Mobile Science Show, the Bechtel K-5 Educational Excellence Initiative, and student groups and fellowships.

The Viola Vestal Coulter Foundation contributed $35,000 to support the Coulter Chair for Mineral Economics.