Jeffrey D. Moeller ‘94 has generously contributed to the Lowery Scholars Program. Distributions from this endowment will be used to provide one or more scholarships to full-time upper-level students in good standing pursuing an undergraduate degree in civil engineering at Texas A&M University.
Moeller had a non-traditional experience at Texas A&M. He originally arrived as a petroleum engineering student in the mid-1980s but ended up leaving before completing his degree. He moved back home to San Antonio and worked for an engineering firm for eight years before deciding to return to school to finish his degree. Moeller again enrolled in the College of Engineering but decided to pursue a degree in civil engineering. He graduated in 1994.
When Moeller came back to Texas A&M, he had Dr. Lee Lowery as an advisor, a structural engineering professor who came highly recommended as both an instructor and advisor. “I was told that if Dr. Lowery is teaching a class, you need to take it with him, no matter what day or time it is offered. So without any hesitation, I signed up for one of Dr. Lowery's civil engineering courses,” said Moeller.
Moeller walked into Lowery’s class on the first day, not knowing a single person. But by the end of class, he would know Lowery very well, as this was the day he forever changed the course of Moeller’s academic pursuits.
“I am not sure he understood the impact he had on me, but his vote of confidence and support gave me what I needed to make it through the remaining four semesters. I ended up meeting with Dr. Lowery often during those two years. He treated me like a peer, and we eventually became good friends over the course of our time together. His words of wisdom, support and encouragement continued through graduation and have yet to cease, even after I left A&M,” said Moeller.
Moeller said it was his experiences with Lowery after he re-enrolled at Texas A&M that was the driving force behind why he chose to support the Lowery Scholars Program. “Dr. Lowery is a unique individual, one who truly embodies the Aggie spirit and truly impacts the students he encounters,” said Moeller.
True Brown, senior director of development for the Texas A&M Foundation, who was working closely with Moeller said, “Philanthropy is largely driven by the desire to make a positive impact on another person’s life. It has been very meaningful to see Jeff and others who support the Lowery Scholars Program take that to heart. Dr. Lowery has a long lineage of students who have gone on to do great things in the real world, and Jeff is certainly a bright example of that.”
Moeller is the president of his general civil engineering firm, Moeller & Associates, based out of New Braunfels, Texas. His business partner James Ingalls also graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in civil engineering in 2006.
Giving with a purpose
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 and its departments, or would like more information on how you can give, please contact True Brown, director of development.