Fueling Dreams: Engineers Propel to Success with Scholarships
Publication Date: April 18, 2024
Author: Jesus A. Reina
Photo caption: Navigating their academic journeys, Contreras and Cantu illuminate the path of excellence, reflecting the brilliance of South Texas talent.
Photo credit: Photo by Jesus A. Reina.
Mackenzie Contreras and Marc Cantu, students from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville's (TAMUK) Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering, have been awarded the Columbia Crew Memorial Undergraduate Scholarships for 2023-2024 from the Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC). The scholarships recognize Cantu and Contreras’ academic excellence, research involvement, and commitment to furthering their education.
Contreras and Cantu from Mercedes and Premont, respectively, met the rigorous eligibility criteria by maintaining outstanding GPAs and by participating in research initiatives, notably with the Southwest Research Institute.
Their dedication to academic excellence and their contributions to research projects were pivotal in securing these scholarships.
Dr. Larry Peel, a long-serving A&M-Kingsville representative for TSGC, expressed his enthusiasm for Cantu and Contreras's recognition. "As the TAMUK TSGC rep for many years, I am excited that our students are finally getting some of these awards after years of encouraging our students to apply," Dr. Peel remarked.
Cantu expressed his gratitude to a couple of TAMUK staff members for their support during the application process. "I would like to extend my thanks to Omar Peña and Dominique Peña for helping out in achieving this scholarship," Cantu stated.
Contreras credited her high school coach, Jesus Garza, with her journey to receiving the scholarship. "I contacted one of my coaches back in high school to help me as a reference, Jesus Garza. He was my coach when I attended Edcouch-Elsa High School. He was always encouraging me and making sure that I was on the right track," Contreras explained.
Both Cantu and Contreras shared words of encouragement for prospective students. Cantu emphasized the importance of facing challenges head-on and embracing opportunities for personal growth. "Don't be scared of the challenges you might be faced with or getting away from home or being away from your friends and your past life because not only will this help you grow in the future, but it will also help you grow your home. You can help build up your home and your friends. Not only will this help you, but it will also help others," Cantu encouraged.
Contreras highlighted the welcoming and supportive environment at TAMUK and encouraged students to become part of the vibrant community. "I would encourage students to come here because this university is community-oriented, with everyone getting to know each other and everyone helping each other out, especially in student organizations, like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), and Society of Women Engineers (SWE)," Contreras affirmed.
The scholarships awarded to Cantu and Contreras recognize their individual achievements and underscore the university's commitment to nurturing talent and academic excellence.
As they continue their academic journey, Cantu and Contreras serve as shining examples of the potential within South Texas communities.
Embark on your journey to excellence! Discover the opportunities awaiting you at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Schedule a tour and explore the path to success in the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering.
Visit Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Categories: Undergraduate, Activity, Achievement, Award, Professors, Scholarships, Student Organization.
Author: Jesus A. Reina
Photo caption: Navigating their academic journeys, Contreras and Cantu illuminate the path of excellence, reflecting the brilliance of South Texas talent.
Photo credit: Photo by Jesus A. Reina.
Mackenzie Contreras and Marc Cantu, students from the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville's (TAMUK) Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering, have been awarded the Columbia Crew Memorial Undergraduate Scholarships for 2023-2024 from the Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC). The scholarships recognize Cantu and Contreras’ academic excellence, research involvement, and commitment to furthering their education.
Contreras and Cantu from Mercedes and Premont, respectively, met the rigorous eligibility criteria by maintaining outstanding GPAs and by participating in research initiatives, notably with the Southwest Research Institute.
Their dedication to academic excellence and their contributions to research projects were pivotal in securing these scholarships.
Dr. Larry Peel, a long-serving A&M-Kingsville representative for TSGC, expressed his enthusiasm for Cantu and Contreras's recognition. "As the TAMUK TSGC rep for many years, I am excited that our students are finally getting some of these awards after years of encouraging our students to apply," Dr. Peel remarked.
Cantu expressed his gratitude to a couple of TAMUK staff members for their support during the application process. "I would like to extend my thanks to Omar Peña and Dominique Peña for helping out in achieving this scholarship," Cantu stated.
Contreras credited her high school coach, Jesus Garza, with her journey to receiving the scholarship. "I contacted one of my coaches back in high school to help me as a reference, Jesus Garza. He was my coach when I attended Edcouch-Elsa High School. He was always encouraging me and making sure that I was on the right track," Contreras explained.
Both Cantu and Contreras shared words of encouragement for prospective students. Cantu emphasized the importance of facing challenges head-on and embracing opportunities for personal growth. "Don't be scared of the challenges you might be faced with or getting away from home or being away from your friends and your past life because not only will this help you grow in the future, but it will also help you grow your home. You can help build up your home and your friends. Not only will this help you, but it will also help others," Cantu encouraged.
Contreras highlighted the welcoming and supportive environment at TAMUK and encouraged students to become part of the vibrant community. "I would encourage students to come here because this university is community-oriented, with everyone getting to know each other and everyone helping each other out, especially in student organizations, like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), and Society of Women Engineers (SWE)," Contreras affirmed.
The scholarships awarded to Cantu and Contreras recognize their individual achievements and underscore the university's commitment to nurturing talent and academic excellence.
As they continue their academic journey, Cantu and Contreras serve as shining examples of the potential within South Texas communities.
Embark on your journey to excellence! Discover the opportunities awaiting you at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Schedule a tour and explore the path to success in the Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering.
Visit Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Categories: Undergraduate, Activity, Achievement, Award, Professors, Scholarships, Student Organization.
Visit Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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