ExxonMobil, Employees Set New Record with $1.16 Million Donation to LSU

Representatives from ExxonMobil present LSU with a donation of $1.16 million from ExxonMobil’s Educational Matching Gift Program. This is the second year in a row that LSU has received more than $1 million from the ExxonMobil Foundation in matching gifts.

May 8, 2009

Baton Rouge, LA - ExxonMobil employees and retirees have achieved a new level of giving with another record gift to LSU academics. On May 8, 2009, the LSU Foundation received a gift of $1,163,585 from the ExxonMobil Foundation. This total represents the matching of 283 gifts to LSU which were eligible for ExxonMobil’s Educational Matching Gift Program in 2008. This is the second year in a row in which LSU has received more than $1 million in matching funds from ExxonMobil. In 2008, LSU became the first university in the world to receive more than $1 million in matching funds from ExxonMobil in one calendar year.

Video: Representatives of ExxonMobil affirm the company's commitment to higher education. | Play [wmv]

ExxonMobil’s Educational Matching Gift Program is a leader in private industry, having donated more than $36 million to more than 900 colleges and universities across the United States in 2008. In the past year, LSU’s alumni and supporters within the ExxonMobil Corporation gave $533,775 to LSU academics, $387,861.66 of which was matched on a 3 to 1 basis by ExxonMobil’s Educational Matching Gift Program ($1,163,585). Historically, LSU is one of the top universities in the world for attracting support from this program.

“When you think of the world’s great companies, ExxonMobil is certainly at the top of any list. Their leadership and positive influence can be felt in every corner of the globe,” said Maj. Gen. William Bowdon, President and CEO of the LSU Foundation. “For LSU to have the support and cooperation of a company like ExxonMobil is a true honor, and a gift for which we are very grateful. We thank all the employees, retirees and annuitants of ExxonMobil for their continued support of LSU students, faculty and staff,” he said.

Participants in the ExxonMobil Educational Matching Gift Program include current employees, retirees, annuitants, and surviving spouses of former employees and company directors. Since its inception in 1962, the program has provided more than $400 million to higher education in the United States.

“These donations are a remarkable testament to the value ExxonMobil employees and retirees place on higher education,” said George Pietrogallo, ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Area Public Affairs Manager.

About ExxonMobil Foundation

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels. Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. Additional information on ExxonMobil's community partnerships and contributions programs is available at http://www.exxonmobil.com/community.

About The LSU Foundation

The LSU Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation which serves as Louisiana State University’s academic fundraising and support organization. The LSU Foundation is a vital part of the Forever LSU campaign, a university-wide effort to raise $750 million in support for LSU by the end of the year 2010. Learn more about the campaign for LSU and its goals at www.foreverlsu.org. For additional information regarding this story or the LSU Foundation contact Scott Madere at 225-578-3826 or smadere@lsufoundation.org.