BASF awards $5,000 in scholarships to Southern University engineering students

GEISMAR, LA, November 23, 2015 – BASF recently awarded $5,000 in scholarships to two engineering students at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Annual scholarships are part of BASF's efforts to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and careers.

“BASF's Team Chemistry Scholarship Program encourages students to pursue STEM-related degrees and to support careers in our industry," said Tom Yura, Senior Vice President and Manager of the BASF site in Geismar, Louisiana. “Through our continued partnership with Southern University, we promote the career opportunities that are available at BASF while also providing hands-on learning and mentoring opportunities for students.”

Each student received a $2,500 scholarship from BASF. Grants are awarded to students who maintain excellent grade-point averages and are active in campus and community organizations. The scholarship winners are:

• D’Antonio Daigre is a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Denham Springs, Louisiana, who graduated with honors in 2014 from Walker High School in Walker, Louisiana. He is an Honors College Scholar and a member of the Louisiana Collegiate Honors Council, the National Collegiate Honors Council, the Southern Regional Honors Council, and the National Association of African American Honors Programs. He is active in the Student Government Association and the Men’s Federation and volunteers with the Louisiana Youth Sports Network and the Baton Rouge Animal Shelter. He is a member of the Southern University football team.
  
  
• Gevontay Wilson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a junior mechanical engineering major and a 2013 graduate of Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge. He is a Dean's List Scholar, an Honors College Scholar, and the recipient of a National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering Scholarship. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Louisiana Collegiate Honors Council, Next Generation Pioneers, and the National Society of Black Engineers and is active in the Student Government Association. He is currently employed as a district leader for Primerica Financial Services.
  
  

"We value BASF‘s partnership with Southern University," said Habib Mohamadian, Ph.D., Dean of Southern University’s College of Engineering. "Having a staunch supporter like BASF makes us confident that the future holds great promise for the students we serve."

In addition to providing scholarships, mentoring and internship opportunities to students, BASF recently donated $25,000 to Southern University's Career Services Center to create a multi-purpose technology center that expands career opportunities for students and modernizes the job-search process. For more information about careers at BASF, visit http://careers.basf.us.

Download photo on right, suggested caption:  D’Antonio Daigre, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, was one of two Southern University students to receive a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

Download photo on right, suggested caption: Gevontay Wilson, a junior mechanical engineering major, was one of two Southern University students to receive a $2,500 BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20.6 billion in 2014. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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