The Science Coalition presented Congressman John Culberson with its Champion of Science Award during a ceremony in Houston on Tuesday (Oct. 21). The award was presented in recognition of his commitment to funding the basic research that keeps the United States and the state of Texas at the forefront of scientific and medical discovery and technological innovation.
The Science Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of more than 50 of the nation's leading public and private research universities including Texas A&M University. The Coalition is dedicated to sustaining the federal governments investment in basic scientific research as a means to create jobs, grow the economy and spur innovation.
“We are pleased to honor Congressman Culberson for his commitment to the federally funded research enterprise at universities across the nation,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “Since serving together in the State legislature, I’ve known John to be both fiscally responsible and visionary. He has continued that balance in Washington where he recognizes the impact of agencies like NASA and the National Science Foundation on our nation’s competitive advantage and economic development at home.”
Dr. M. Katherine Banks, vice chancellor and dean of engineering at Texas A&M University, and Kate Miller, dean of the College of Geosciences at Texas A&M, presented the award to Culberson.
“As a space-grant university, Texas A&M has been especially impacted by Congressman Culberson’s support of the sciences and engineering,” said Banks. “One of many examples is his long-standing support of NASA. We have graduated thousands of Aggies who work in the space program — from payload specialists to flight engineers and even astronauts.
“We are grateful that Congressman Culberson serves as out champion, a person who has a clear vision for the future in science, engineering and technology.”
The event was held at Stress Engineering where Dr. Joe Fowler ’68 is president and co-founder of Stress Engineering. Fowler graduated from Texas A&M with a mechanical engineering degree and is chairman of the Dwight Look College of Engineering’s Advisory Council.
Stress Engineering provides engineering services for a broad range of industries and counts almost 70 A&M graduates among its employees. Culberson toured the facility with Fowler prior to the ceremony.