Scott Moses (third from left) with Texas A&M College of Engineering students. |
Image: Contributed by Scott Moses
One of the most memorable experiences of Scott Moses’ undergraduate career at Texas A&M University took place on the first day of ENGR 101. The professor addressed the class with a classic line, “Take a look to your left. Now look to your right. By the end of the year, two of the three of you will no longer be an engineering major.” Out of his two neighbors, Scott was the one that made it through, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Scott said his professor’s warning wasn’t unfounded. “The academics were demanding, but the years I spent at Texas A&M were some of the most enjoyable times of my life,” he said. Scott’s academic tenacity paid off; he now serves as president of Oil State Industries, where he has worked ever since leaving Texas A&M.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Scott decided to pursue a graduate degree alongside his wife and fellow Aggie, Rene’, who was studying for her master’s degree in education and now serves as the principal of Johnson Elementary School in the Carroll Industrial School District.
As a graduate student, Scott received grant money from the mechanical engineering department to support his studies and research. However, halfway through completing his degree, an available position opened up at Oil State Industries, and Scott left Texas A&M before receiving his diploma.
“It bothered me greatly that I never fulfilled the research obligation associated with the grant money I received,” said Scott. “I decided that once I was able, I would pay back the department of mechanical engineering by funding scholarships and fellowships.”
This was what led the couple to endow the Rene’ and Scott Moses ’90 Fellowship fund to benefit full-time students pursuing a graduate degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M. Scott hopes his gift can help students like himself who would otherwise be unable to complete a graduate degree without financial aid.
Despite their unconventional beginning to philanthropy, Scott and Rene’ say they are motivated by the success of their scholarship recipients. “Giving back to Texas A&M began as a way to pay back money I didn’t feel I had earned,” said Scott. “But after meeting with our scholarship recipients, it has become more about the joy Rene’ and I get from sharing some of the blessings we’ve received in life with some incredibly talented young men and women who we think are destined to accomplish great things in their future.”
Scott said his professor’s warning wasn’t unfounded. “The academics were demanding, but the years I spent at Texas A&M were some of the most enjoyable times of my life,” he said. Scott’s academic tenacity paid off; he now serves as president of Oil State Industries, where he has worked ever since leaving Texas A&M.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Scott decided to pursue a graduate degree alongside his wife and fellow Aggie, Rene’, who was studying for her master’s degree in education and now serves as the principal of Johnson Elementary School in the Carroll Industrial School District.
As a graduate student, Scott received grant money from the mechanical engineering department to support his studies and research. However, halfway through completing his degree, an available position opened up at Oil State Industries, and Scott left Texas A&M before receiving his diploma.
“It bothered me greatly that I never fulfilled the research obligation associated with the grant money I received,” said Scott. “I decided that once I was able, I would pay back the department of mechanical engineering by funding scholarships and fellowships.”
This was what led the couple to endow the Rene’ and Scott Moses ’90 Fellowship fund to benefit full-time students pursuing a graduate degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M. Scott hopes his gift can help students like himself who would otherwise be unable to complete a graduate degree without financial aid.
Despite their unconventional beginning to philanthropy, Scott and Rene’ say they are motivated by the success of their scholarship recipients. “Giving back to Texas A&M began as a way to pay back money I didn’t feel I had earned,” said Scott. “But after meeting with our scholarship recipients, it has become more about the joy Rene’ and I get from sharing some of the blessings we’ve received in life with some incredibly talented young men and women who we think are destined to accomplish great things in their future.”
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. Fellowships encourage collaboration between the faculty, students and industry mentors while allowing graduate students to further their education and thus having a greater impact on the industry. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering or would like more information on how you can give, please contact Stephanie Lampe, director of development.