Welch Foundation and Jon Hagler Donate $15 Million for Groundbreaking Chemistry Research at Texas A&M

Texas A&M to further chemistry research with a significant donation from the Welch Foundation and Jon Hagler

In a milestone contribution for science education and research, the Robert A. Welch Foundation and Jon Hagler, Class of ’58, have provided a substantial grant of $15 million to Texas A&M for the advancement of leading-edge chemistry research. This generous donation seeks to facilitate the engagement of academy-level chemistry researchers at the esteemed campus.

$15 Million Grant to Boost Chemistry Research

The grant, comprising $10 million from the Welch Foundation and a matching $5 million from Hagler, will foster the formation of the Welch-Hagler Fellows. These selected chemical mavens will collaborate with faculty and students to explore a diverse range of chemistry-related topics. The research ranges from finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, cleaning up water supplies, to propelling space travel technology.

The Welch-Hagler Fellows

The $5 million donation from Jon Hagler will endow a chair position for a Welch-Hagler Fellow visiting A&M, providing them an opportunity to contribute their knowledge and expertise for up to a year. The Welch Foundation, in turn, aims to support 12 fellows and 24 graduate students each year for the forthcoming future.

Boost to World-Class Research and Student Support

Dr. Alan Sams, the executive vice president and Texas A&M provost, expressed his gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its importance in promoting high-quality research and inspiring the next generation of chemistry researchers. The Welch-Hagler Fellows program’s vision aligns with Texas A&M’s mission to amplify and broaden the reach of its research impact.

Selection Of The Welch-Hagler Fellows

The process of selecting researchers for the Welch-Hagler Fellows will be carried out by A&M’s senior faculty members, choosing based on their scholarly work and potential to mentor young faculty and students. Researchers from several chemistry-related domains, such as chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science, medicine, and biomedical sciences, can be nominated for the fellowship.

A Gateway To Future Opportunities

Tyson Voelkel, Class of ’96, president and CEO of the Texas A&M Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the prospects this donation offers. He highlighted how this funding will inaugurate new industry-leading research at Texas A&M, building a more promising future for the worldwide community.