The Valero Energy Corporation has made a $1 million donation to the BYU College of Engineering to support a variety of college initiatives and to provide resources to three spaces inside the newly-constructed Engineering Building.
The Valero Energy Corporation has made a $1 million donation to the BYU College of Engineering to support a variety of college initiatives and to provide resources to three spaces inside the newly-constructed Engineering Building.
Part of Valero’s generous donation will be used to support college diversity and inclusion initiatives with an emphasis on female research and mentorship opportunities. The donation will also provide increased resources to the Chemical Engineering department by way of new equipment and enhanced lab space.
“Valero is proud to support the BYU College of Engineering in ways that directly benefit the next generation of engineers – from laboratories to equipment to scholarships to mentorships for women,” said Lane Riggs, Valero Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We want our investment to be a platform where students can learn and are positioned to excel in their engineering career.”
One of the Engineering Building laboratories benefiting from the donation is the Chemical Engineering Fundamentals Lab, referred to by students and faculty as the Valero Teaching Lab. This space, located on the main floor of the building, allows for hands-on learning and teaching opportunities for undergraduate Chemical Engineering students. Large windows allow visitors to look in as students, donning white lab coats and goggles, collaborate and experiment with faculty, peers, and graduate students.
Valero’s contribution also benefits the Computer-aided Engineering Design and Manufacturing (CAEDM) Nexus, an open computing lab for all engineering majors. This fun, modern space allows students to engage in learning activities through computer-based and hands-on instruction, provides ample space for collaboration and team activities, and encourages creative thinking.
The Hardware Proving Grounds, located on the “Innovation Floor,” also benefits from Valero’s donation. This area encourages teamwork and collaboration via large work areas where students can assemble and store large projects and test innovative ideas. The layout of this space encourages hard work and creativity through its industrial-themed design.
Finally, future recipients of the “Valero Scholarship” will benefit from tuition assistance as they pursue their engineering education.
“Our graduates who have taken positions at Valero have thrived as a result of Valero’s positive and empowering corporate culture and their appreciation of the maturity and preparation of our graduates,” says Dean Michael Jensen.
“We are very grateful for this generous gift that allows us to offer even more opportunities that help students develop the types of skills that make them an asset to our loyal recruiters.”
###
About Valero
Valero Energy Corporation, through its subsidiaries (collectively, “Valero”), is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. Valero is a Fortune 50 company based in San Antonio, Texas, and it operates 15 petroleum refineries with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.1 million barrels per day and 14 ethanol plants with a combined production capacity of 1.73 billion gallons per year. The petroleum refineries are located in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and the ethanol plants are located in the Mid-Continent region of the U.S. Valero also is a joint venture partner in Diamond Green Diesel, which operates a renewable diesel plant in Norco, Louisiana. Diamond Green Diesel is North America’s largest biomass-based diesel plant. Valero sells its products in the wholesale rack or bulk markets in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Latin America. Approximately 7,000 outlets carry Valero’s brand names. Please visit www.valero.com for more information.