ExxonMobil Awards $300,000 to SECME to Bolster Future Math, Science Workforce

ExxonMobil has awarded a $300,000 grant to the Atlanta-based SECME - a non-profit alliance of universities, school districts, industrial and governmental organizations - to help promote education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for young minority students.

"ExxonMobil believes it is critical to America's future competitiveness to encourage U.S. students, in particular young women and under-represented minority groups, to pursue careers in science, technology, education and math," said Truman Bell, senior program officer for education and diversity at ExxonMobil. "SECME has an established record of success in helping promote education and careers within the STEM fields."

Michele Williams, interim executive director of SECME, said ExxonMobil has a strong history of support. "ExxonMobil continues to show its dedication toward assisting young minority students through this contribution," said Williams. "We know the work done through SECME is making a difference in the lives of many young people each year, and the scope of our work is significantly increased through our continued relationship with ExxonMobil."

Over the past 10 years, ExxonMobil has given more than $2.5 million to SECME to support its educational programs, including its Summer Institute for teachers; K-12 in-service professional development component; national and state program development; and ExxonMobil SECME Scholars. The 2009 ExxonMobil contribution will again support a summer teachers institute and other programs including a scholarship program for young people pursing engineering and related fields.

In surveys of graduating high school seniors who had participated in SECME, more than 90 percent said they planned to enroll in college and 50 percent said they will major in STEM related fields. The goal of SECME is to enhance the positive experiences that middle and high school students have with math and science and encourage them to continue their education and obtain careers relating to STEM.

SECME's strategy to provide teacher training that helps to enhance student interest with the support of 37 member university engineering schools. These include universities such as Georgia Tech, Tuskegee University, Howard University and the University of Houston.

About ExxonMobil Foundation

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels.

Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2008, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation, its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $225 million in contributions worldwide, of which more than $89 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

About SECME

SECME is a pre-college alliance partnering school systems, engineering universities, and corporate/government investors. SECME's mission is to increase the pool of under-represented students who are prepared to enter and complete post-secondary studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The SECME program extends to schools, universities, science and technology-based businesses and government agencies in 15 states and Washington, D.C. Since its founding in 1975, SECME has trained more than 5,000 teachers at its summer institutes and graduated nearly 85,000 seniors, 90 percent of whom enroll in four-year colleges. For more information, visit www.secme.org.

SOURCE: ExxonMobil Foundation

for ExxonMobil Foundation 
Donald J. Claxton, 214-373-1601