Articles

Scholarship Committee - This month, I would like to spotlight the Scholarship Committee for doing a great job this year taking applications for scholarships, reviewing the 19 applications received, and then choosing three (3) excellent civil engineering candidates to receive the G.B. Mann Scholarship for 2011.   The Committee is headed by Nicole Carrillo, P.E., this year – she has done a great job leading this effort. The branch is awarding three (3) $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors that will be pursuing a career in civil engineering. Having a daughter that just graduated from high school this year, I know how much the cost of a college education has skyrocketed over the years, and these kind of scholarships really help students achieve their dreams – It also helps to recognize these students for all of their hard academic work and personal sacrifice. Please read about this year’s recipients and the work the Scholarship Committee has done this year, by reading more details in this month’s Branch Newsletter.

More About Scholarships and G.B. Mann - The officers of the Dallas Branch have been meeting recently to try to learn more about the history of the Dallas Branch Scholarship Fund, and to set long-term financial goals to enhance the capabilities of the Branch and fund future scholarships. Much of the history and original documentation about the fund has been lost through the years, and the Board understands that it is important to rediscover how the fund was set up and the founding principles. What we have determined so far is that the scholarship fund was established in 1993 under the leadership of the Branch President at that time, David Schnurbusch, P.E. Not long after, the balance in the fund grew considerably through financial donations from ASCE member George Boley “G.B.” Mann (photo inset). G.B. never wanted publicity or notoriety for these contributions – Apparently, his arm had to be twisted pretty hard just to get him to allow the Branch to name the G.B. Mann Scholarship Fund in his name, which was done prior to his death. The fund was established in his honor around 1994 – 1995. Find out more about G.B. Mann on the Dallas Branch Web Site.

In 1995, money from the Scholarship Fund was invested in interest-bearing certificates of deposit and money market funds at a local financial broker.  Since that time, the Branch has held fundraisers, such as the Annual Golf Tournament, to grow the fund, and there have also been many disbursements through the years from the scholarship and general Branch funds to give scholarships to deserving high school students pursuing an education in Civil Engineering. 

Long –Term Financial Steering Committee - The Board of Directors is seeking information from past board officers and members of the Branch that would help in documenting the history and other aspects of the Scholarship Fund. We will also be formulating a Long-Term Financial Planning and Scholarship Fund Steering Committee to consider future scholarships, coordinate fund-raising activities, and help with financial planning for the Branch. Any Branch member who has special expertise in the area of financial planning or policy-making is asked to contact Jeff Hawkins, President or Doug Smith, President-Elect, to aid in the formulation of this committee. More news to follow!