Students in Rocket Engineering Prep Program to receive full college scholarships

More homegrown engineers will solve problems right here in the Toledo community thanks to an innovative partnership between BP and The University of Toledo.

The new Rocket Engineering Prep Program will ensure full tuition and fee scholarships for four years for select Toledo Public School students to attend the UT College of Engineering in exchange for successfully completing three summers of enrichment and mentoring programs at UT during high school. The program supports an increase in both the number and success of students who represent the diversity of the Toledo community. 

The launch of the Rocket Engineering Prep Program will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 19 in the SSOE Seminar Room of Nitschke Hall on the UT Main Campus. The first class of TPS students in the program will be recognized at the event.

“Thanks to the generosity of BP we will be able to increase the success of local high school students in engineering careers,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “These students will not only receive a top-notch UT College of Engineering education, but also will be better prepared for success with an introduction to college life and engineering careers through the summer programs. This is an exciting program to encourage talented local students to stay in our community and to support their education and career achievements.”

“BP is excited to be a partner of the new Rocket Engineering Prep Program,” BP Refinery Manager Mark Dangler said. “In order to remain competitive, BP, like many other companies, will increasingly require a workforce that is proficient in advanced STEM subjects and prepared with critical thinking and problem solving skills. We believe this new bridge program will enhance our local talent pool of diverse engineering candidates and helps build upon our ongoing relationship with UT and supporting our community where we live and work.”

The Rocket Engineering Prep Program begins the summer after the student’s sophomore year of high school when they will visit the UT campus for assistance in preparing for 11th grade, the ACT and success in college. They also will be introduced to engineering disciplines and careers through activities and field trips. The students will participate in a similar program the following summer.

During the summer after high school graduation the participants will live on campus and enroll in UT courses for a head start on a successful college experience.

“BP is investing in our community by encouraging local high school students to explore the engineering sciences and providing the resources and support that will help them succeed here at UT and in their future careers,” UT College of Engineering Dean Nagi Naganathan said. “Our graduates are creative problem solvers and leaders in their fields. We look forward to having more TPS graduates succeed as UT engineering students and alumni.”

Media Coverage
The Blade (April 19, 2016)
13 ABC (April 19, 2016)
WTOL 11 (April 20, 2016)
NBC 24 (April 20, 2016)

Tags: College of Engineering