David and Denise Senor |
Image: Contributed by David Senor
David and Denise Senor have established the David ’88 and Denise ’85 Senor Scholarship to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing pursuing an undergraduate degree from the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University.
David earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in nuclear engineering while Denise earned her bachelor’s and master’s in animal science. This laid the foundation for their desire to stay involved in the university.
“We both worked through college and understand the financial burden it places on students and their families,” David said. “Our reason for establishing a scholarship in nuclear engineering is to facilitate helping students get their degree without having to worry so much about paying for it.”
Their experience at Texas A&M served as the driving force behind their decision to establish a scholarship.
“It’s a way of giving back,” David said. “The education we received between the combined five degrees my wife and I have has enabled us to live the lifestyle we do and we wanted to help position students for success.”
In addition to their experience at Texas A&M as a whole, David shared that the mentorship of a professor changed the trajectory of his career.
“Dr. Lee Peddicord gave me the opportunity to work in his research group as an undergraduate which inspired me to study nuclear materials in graduate school,” David said. “He also served as my advisor for my master's and doctorate degrees; this set the stage for a career in the nuclear materials field that I’ve been fortunate to enjoy over the past 27 years.”
Ultimately, the Senors’ involvement with undergraduate students over the years excited them about the idea of establishing a scholarship in the nuclear engineering department.
“Dr. Karen Kirkland and Dr. Yassin Hassan allowed me to mentor design teams in NUEN 406 and NUEN 410 over the past seven years,” David said. “That involvement with undergraduate students provided motivation that ultimately led my wife and I to endow the scholarship.”
David earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in nuclear engineering while Denise earned her bachelor’s and master’s in animal science. This laid the foundation for their desire to stay involved in the university.
“We both worked through college and understand the financial burden it places on students and their families,” David said. “Our reason for establishing a scholarship in nuclear engineering is to facilitate helping students get their degree without having to worry so much about paying for it.”
Their experience at Texas A&M served as the driving force behind their decision to establish a scholarship.
“It’s a way of giving back,” David said. “The education we received between the combined five degrees my wife and I have has enabled us to live the lifestyle we do and we wanted to help position students for success.”
In addition to their experience at Texas A&M as a whole, David shared that the mentorship of a professor changed the trajectory of his career.
“Dr. Lee Peddicord gave me the opportunity to work in his research group as an undergraduate which inspired me to study nuclear materials in graduate school,” David said. “He also served as my advisor for my master's and doctorate degrees; this set the stage for a career in the nuclear materials field that I’ve been fortunate to enjoy over the past 27 years.”
Ultimately, the Senors’ involvement with undergraduate students over the years excited them about the idea of establishing a scholarship in the nuclear engineering department.
“Dr. Karen Kirkland and Dr. Yassin Hassan allowed me to mentor design teams in NUEN 406 and NUEN 410 over the past seven years,” David said. “That involvement with undergraduate students provided motivation that ultimately led my wife and I to endow the scholarship.”
How to Give
The College of Engineering is one of the leading engineering programs in the United States, ranking first in undergraduate enrollment and ninth in graduate enrollment. Endowments supporting the students in the college have an immeasurable impact on their education. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering or would like more information on how you can give, please contact Patrick Wilson, assistant director of development.