Dr. Joe and Laura Allison of Bartlesville, Okla., in partnership with their employer, ConocoPhillips, have established an endowed travel fund through the University of Central Arkansas Foundation for students studying in the UCA Department of Chemistry.
Through a matching gift partnership, the couple has committed to contributing $30,000 to the Joe and Laura Allison Department of Chemistry Travel Fund over the next three years.
“We are pleased to be able to contribute to the UCA Department of Chemistry,” Laura Allison said. “Both of us chose careers in chemistry because of our experiences at UCA. The energy and interest shown by the professors was contagious.” Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from UCA in 1979. He received a doctorate degree in inorganic chemistry from Purdue University in 1983. He joined Conoco Inc. (now ConocoPhillips) in 1983 and is now a Fellow with the company. He has 36 patents from work with ConocoPhillips on various projects, and in 2008, he received the Oklahoma Chemist Award from the Oklahoma Sections of the American Chemical Society. Laura graduated with honors from UCA in 1979, also earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. She received a master’s of science in medicinal chemistry from Purdue University in 1981. She worked in mass spectrometry for Conoco Inc. (ConocoPhillips) for 17 years, retiring in 2007 as Chief Chemist.
ConocoPhillips is one of thousands of employers that will match employees’ private contributions to qualified educational institutions. ConocoPhillips is an international, integrated energy company with interests around the world. Headquartered in Houston, the company had approximately 30,000 employees, $150 billion of assets, and $132 billion of annualized revenues as of June 30, 2009.
According to fund guidelines, chemistry students will be awarded funds annually to attend recognized scientific meetings and present the results of their research. Meetings may be local, regional or national and shall be appropriate to provide professional interaction and networking opportunities to the students.
