Grace Hopper Scholarship Receives Continuation Gift to Support Students Pursuing STEM Careers

HOUSTON, Nov. 22, 2022 – The Grace Hopper Scholarship will continue to be a source of support for students pursuing STEM-related degrees at Houston Christian University (HCU) thanks to a recent $1M continuation gift from Holly Frost and his spouse, Kathaleen Wall, the scholarship’s founding supporters. Frost was named to the National Academy of Inventors in 2021 and is an entrepreneur who created one of the earliest and most successful computer memory companies.

In 2019, the couple donated $2M to enable HCU to provide $500,000 annually to be disbursed for scholarships for students pursuing degrees in the STEM field in honor of Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper, PhD. Recipients who are awarded the scholarship must demonstrate Dr. Hopper’s persistence, technical knowledge, and selfless service in pursuit of STEM-related degrees.

“Texas is expected to see dramatic growth in technology-based companies and career opportunities over the next five to 10 years. The only way to fill these opportunities, and to ensure Texas’ position as a premier technology growth center within the US, is to encourage increased pursuit of science and engineering degrees. For Texas students to be competitive in the workforce, STEM programs at the college level are essential now more than ever,” Kathaleen Wall said regarding the impetus for establishing the scholarship.

The couple has given a total of $4.15M to further the education of over 500 HCU students majoring in Computer Science, Cyber Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, since the scholarship’s inception. Their recent gift will provide new funds for 2023-2024 scholarship recipients.

“HCU is grateful to Holly and Kathaleen for their generous, continued support of the Grace Hopper Scholarship fund they established. Through these awards, HCU’s STEM majors are more financially secure and able to devote more time to their academic achievement and professional development, so they are ready to contribute to Texas’ workforce needs,” said Dr. Katie Evans, Dean of HCU’s College of Science and Engineering.

The first class of students graduated from HCU’s College of Science and Engineering  (COSE) in the Spring of 2022. For more information, visit the COSE website.

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