Corporate Giving: Building & Earth Sciences, Inc.

Building & Earth SciencesCorporate giving is one reason the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering offers the greatest number of merit-based scholarships and fellowships of any college at Auburn University. The Building and Earth Sciences, Inc. Geotechnical Annual Fellowship is an example of the important role corporations play in advancing the college.

"This fellowship is a generous gift that provides support for a graduate student studying geotechnical engineering," says Mike Stallings, department head for civil engineering. "This company recognizes the shortage of students pursuing advanced degrees in this branch of engineering and has taken a positive action to attract a larger group."

Based in Birmingham, Ala., Building and Earth Sciences, Inc. is one of the fastest growing engineering firms in the country. With engineers registered in 35 states, the company has more than 70 years of experience in geotechnical engineering, construction management and materials testing. The firm now has branch offices in Huntsville, Ala., Bentonville, Ark., Atlanta, Columbus and Savannah, Ga., Louisville, Ky., Raleigh, N.C., and Tulsa, Okla.

Fellowships give donors the chance to not only make a difference in the life of a student, but in the growth of the college. The awards allow the college to recruit from a broader range of students, leading to increased research and output - critical components of an institution's reputation.

"Fellowships are essential to the development of any college," said Ralph Zee, associate dean for research, "they help us recruit and retain top students, and the hard work of those students in turn brings more name recognition to Auburn University and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering."