Southwestern Energy Company gave the University of Central Arkansas a $300,000 gift in December 2016 to support undergraduate and graduate student research.
The Southwestern Energy Endowed Fund for Student Research will be granted to students conducting research in the fields of environmental science, geography and physics.
“Through our $300,000 gift and the creation of this endowment, we have the opportunity to carry on our advocacy of science, technology, engineering and math education to secondary education in order to expand students’ opportunities and employability, whatever careers they pursue,” said George Sheffer, former Southwestern Energy Company vice president of Operations-Fayetteville Shale.
A selection committee made up of UCA professors will recommend an annual awardee who will receive at least $1,500 for his or her research. Graduate student Christopher Robinson was announced as the first Southwestern Energy Research Fellow.
“I know this is a really competitive grant, and I’m proud of myself and of my research and of my advisor for our hard work of what we’ve committed to this project,” Robinson said.
Robinson, a Texas native, specifically came to UCA to earn a master’s degree and study the prairie lizard with Dr. Matt Gifford, assistant professor in biology.