Albemarle Corporation recently provided a generous endowment to the College of Science and Engineering at Southern Arkansas University. Pictured are, from left, Bob Stevens, Walter Hale, Jake Miller, Kimberly Jones, Dr. Trey Berry (SAU president), Jason Bevan (Albemarle plant manager), Dr. Abdel Bachri (dean of the COSE), Sarah Palazzi, Josh Kee (vice president for advancement at SAU), Dr. Sam Heintz (associate professor of engineering at SAU), and Brinkley Jackson.
Albemarle Corporation and the Albemarle Foundation-Magnolia Council recently increased their partnership with Southern Arkansas University through a generous commitment to the College of Science and Engineering. The investment of $100,000 will fund an endowment that will provide annual resources for equipment, technology and instruction. These funds are crucial in moving the program forward to ensure that faculty have the very best resources to train students for today’s ever-changing workplace.
“Our partnerships with Albemarle are so important, not just for students, but for our entire region,” Dr. Trey Berry, president of SAU, said. “We could not have strong programs in many areas of our campus without Albemarle’s generous and gracious support.”
“Albemarle is proud to continue its partnership with SAU and particularly the Department of Engineering,” Jason Bevan, Magnolia plant manager, said. “SAU’s commitment to establishing a first-rate engineering program in Columbia County is of tremendous importance to the long-term viability of industry in the region. Albemarle welcomes the opportunity to support the sustainability of this region’s technical workforce and contribute to such a valuable asset of this community.”
Dr. Abdel Bachri, dean of the COSE, said the gift will allow the Engineering Department to “constantly improve instrumentation that enables us to bring theoretical concepts to the lab environment for testing by students.”
Bachri said Albemarle is a great friend to the Engineering Department, “and an ideal partner in many ways.” Each semester, Albemarle engineers speak to SAU engineering classes. Students also benefit from plant tours, internships and employment opportunities provided by Albemarle.
In addition, the company sponsors senior design projects, funds the Albemarle Endowed Professorship, and provides guidance to the program through membership on the Engineering Advisory Board.
“We are also happy that two of our adjunct professors are Albemarle employees, bringing their industry perspective to the classrooms,” Bachri said. “SAU and Albemarle share many great values such as caring for and serving the community. I am sure we will continue to partner with them on many fronts.”
Bachri said Albemarle’s continuous support and engagement “is the margin of excellence that makes all the difference to our faculty and students. I look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
Albemarle Corporation is a chemical company with headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company employs approximately 5,400 people and has customers in approximately 100 countries.
