ExxonMobil increases support of Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Sponsorship includes inaugural award for math and science 

October 16, 2007

ExxonMobil is expanding its partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation by sponsoring the first Hispanic Heritage Award for Math and Science, increasing the corporation's support for the Foundation to $1.2 million.

Seismologist and Science Education Advocate Dr. Ines Cifuentes received the inaugural award that was presented during the 21st Hispanic Heritage Awards Gala.

"I have been very fortunate that my professional and personal interests are aligned so that my passion for one is easily translated to the other," said Cifuentes, who has dedicated much of her professional life to advancing scientific study on seismology. More recently she has been working to improve the teaching of math and science in D.C. Public Schools. “I would also like to commend ExxonMobil for its commitment to enhancing and improving math and science education as well as its progressive Hispanic outreach."

Also being honored during the 21st Hispanic Heritage Awards Gala was Keone Hon, the 2007 National Hispanic Heritage Youth Award recipient in Engineering and Mathematics, an award also sponsored by ExxonMobil. Hon is a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he is interested in pursuing a degree in mathematics and chemical engineering.

"Role models are critical to heighten interest among students and ensure their achievement of college-level education and careers in the math and science fields," said Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive of Exxon Mobil Corporation. "ExxonMobil's partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation allows us to celebrate the exemplary accomplishments of individuals such as Dr. Cifuentes and Keone Hon and spotlights a distinguished group of influential leaders for the nation's Hispanic youth."

In addition to ExxonMobil's sponsorship of the Math and Science Award, the corporation has partnered with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to host two events: Latino Leaders Network Issues Hour and a Latino Leaders Youth Luncheon honoring past and present Hispanic Heritage Youth Award winners.

ExxonMobil supports organizations such as the Hispanic Heritage Foundation that help promote and create opportunities for minorities in the math and science fields as a way to improve math and science education. Recently the corporation has intensified its math and science outreach by contributing $125 million to the National Math and Science Initiative, which focuses on improvements in these areas from pre-school through higher education.