As the cost of a college education continues to rise each year, offering scholarship support has become one of the main ways to attract and retain the best and brightest students to the University of Houston, the College of Technology and its programs. During the Technology Philanthropy Recognition Dinner on February 1, at the University of Houston Hilton. The generosity of donors who understand the priority of scholarship support was recognized, and scholarship recipients for the year were introduced.
“Scholarship contributions make a remarkable difference in the educational experiences of our students,” said Dr. Tony Ambler, dean of the College of Technology. “There are many stories that cause us to take great pride in having a role in making our students’ academic journeys more successful,” he said.
Dr. Jay Neal, associate vice president, academic affairs, and chief executive officer of UH Sugar Land and Katy spoke about the transition of several programs in the College of Technology to UH Sugar Land. The Mayor of Sugar Land, Joe Zimmerman followed his remarks, giving an update of the economic development and the vital role that UH Sugar Land has in the future.
Attendees heard from scholarship recipient Yasamina McBride, who is working on her master’s degree in Foresight. “Donors who serve as the bridge and make the vital difference between a dream deferred and dream realized. Scholarships are an invaluable part of what makes it all happen and I am very grateful,” said Yasamina.
Irsan Tisnabudi (’97) earned his B.S. in Computer Engineering Technology. As president and owner of the ARIA Services, he started the successful award winning UH Cougar 100 business in 2010 and established the Bernard McIntyre Scholarship Endowment in 2012, which is the source of funding for engineering technology scholarships.
Tisnabudi reflected on his journey as a scholarship recipient in the College during the time that Dr. McIntyre was dean. “Dr. McIntyre touched my life quite profoundly. My hope is that having his name on a permanent endowment attracts other students whose lives he touched would be moved to give,” he said.
The College of Technology was able to award about $120,000 in scholarships to 121 students. Awards range from $250 to $5,000 to students in majors across the four departments: Construction, Engineering Technology, Human Development and Consumer Sciences, and Information and Logistics Technology.
“In our college, we are fortunate to have donors at all levels that have recognized the role student scholarships play in educating our future workforce and have chosen this as the direction for their philanthropic gifts,” said Margarita Perez-Frinsco, the advancement director for the College of Technology. “While the College of Technology scholarship program continues to grow, there are still tremendous opportunities to make a difference in the educational experiences of our students.”
For more information, contact: mperez47 [at] Central.UH.EDU (Director of Advancement)