The AEP Foundation has contributed a $100,000 grant to Angelo State University to fund an endowment that will support the new Engineering Student Hub in the ASU Vincent Building. In recognition of the contribution, the facility has been renamed the AEP Foundation Engineering Student Hub.

As the center of student support and success services for ASU’s David L. Hirschfeld Department of Engineering, the hub includes a variety of conference rooms for tutoring, individual and group study, and group meetings. It also employs advanced engineering students as mentors and leaders to conduct outreach to younger students, and the department’s faculty members hold their open office hours in the hub.

“We’re very grateful for the AEP Foundation’s support of our Engineering Student Hub,” said Dr. William Kitch, department chair. “The mentoring, advising and tutoring services that happen here provide the key support we need to keep our students on track toward graduation and their engineering careers. The AEP Foundation’s generous endowment will ensure support for the student hub far into the future. This is a great partnership.”

The AEP Foundation was created in 2005 by American Electric Power, the parent company of AEP Texas, to continue the tradition of corporate philanthropy of AEP and its regional utilities and to support and play an active, positive role in the communities where AEP employees live and work.

Judith E. Talavera, president and chief operating officer of AEP Texas, presented an enlarged version of the contribution check to ASU officials on behalf of the AEP Foundation during a special ceremony on Oct. 2 in the new hub facility.

“I’m especially proud to present this contribution on behalf of the AEP Foundation because it is an investment in all of our futures,” Talavera said. “We are helping ensure that there will be qualified engineers available to join our ranks and help power our industry.”

Talavera also noted that research has shown that student success in engineering significantly improves when dedicated support systems, such as tutoring, mentoring and supplemental instruction, are provided.  

With this gift to Angelo State, AEP and AEP companies have donated over $1.5 million to the Texas Tech University System. AEP Texas has supported ASU as a member of the President’s Circle donor group since 2006, as well as through sponsorship of the annual Ram Club Golf Tournament and other campus events, and by funding student scholarships through the AEP Texas Scholarship Endowment.