Kenneth M. '79 and Susan M. Fulk '81 |
Image: Contributed by Kenneth Fulk
Kenneth M. ’79 and Susan M. ’81 Fulk have established the Kenneth M. Fulk ’79 and Susan M. Fulk ’81 Architectural Engineering Scholarship to provide one or more scholarships to full-time students in good standing who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in architectural engineering at Texas A&M University.
The architectural engineering program at Texas A&M is relatively new to the historic university. Ken Fulk, a graduate of the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering and principal engineer at Reed Wells Benson & Co. Consultant Engineers, was invited by his good friend and mentor, Damon Gowan, to serve on the committee responsible for the creation of the architectural engineering degree plan.
“Damon approached me in late 2009. At the time there were two architectural engineering programs in the state, but neither of them placed an emphasis on mechanical and electrical building systems design,” Ken said. “Our express purpose as a committee was to create a degree plan that met the needs of the industry and offered students who wished to pursue a career in the industry a viable option in state.”
Under the leadership of Dr. David Claridge and Dr. Morad Atif, the implementation of the committee’s recommendations was successful. Committee members offered their support to ensure its continued success.
“Damon established an excellence fund for the department which provided faculty with flexibility in how the funds were used,” Ken said. “He and others involved in the formation of the program had a desire to help others in the industry and followed suit with similar donations.”
After losing his friend and mentor to a battle with cancer, Fulk saw a need in the department and sought to meet it in honor of Damon.
“He planted the seed,” Ken said. “I felt someone needed to carry the flag to keep the momentum up and in an effort to set an example I wanted to make this gift to help students fund their education at A&M while planting a new seed for others in the industry in the hopes they might follow suit.”
Susan Fulk, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate and Performing Arts Secretary at Allen ISD, fully supports the creation of the architectural engineering program.
“Ken and fellow industry leaders saw the need for the creation of an architectural engineering degree at Texas A&M in order for the future of the discipline to be successful and innovative,” Susan said. “For any new program to be successful, there must be financial input, and with this scholarship endowment, we hope to both generate interest in the program and facilitate student learning by alleviating some of the cost associated with attending Texas A&M.”
Susan understands the value of an education from Texas A&M and desires for students to have every opportunity to attend should they choose.
“An education from Texas A&M carries a lot of weight in the business world,” Susan said. “Graduates from A&M are looked upon as well prepared, forward thinkers, achievers and innovators. These are people others want on their team.”
The architectural engineering program at Texas A&M is relatively new to the historic university. Ken Fulk, a graduate of the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering and principal engineer at Reed Wells Benson & Co. Consultant Engineers, was invited by his good friend and mentor, Damon Gowan, to serve on the committee responsible for the creation of the architectural engineering degree plan.
“Damon approached me in late 2009. At the time there were two architectural engineering programs in the state, but neither of them placed an emphasis on mechanical and electrical building systems design,” Ken said. “Our express purpose as a committee was to create a degree plan that met the needs of the industry and offered students who wished to pursue a career in the industry a viable option in state.”
Under the leadership of Dr. David Claridge and Dr. Morad Atif, the implementation of the committee’s recommendations was successful. Committee members offered their support to ensure its continued success.
“Damon established an excellence fund for the department which provided faculty with flexibility in how the funds were used,” Ken said. “He and others involved in the formation of the program had a desire to help others in the industry and followed suit with similar donations.”
After losing his friend and mentor to a battle with cancer, Fulk saw a need in the department and sought to meet it in honor of Damon.
“He planted the seed,” Ken said. “I felt someone needed to carry the flag to keep the momentum up and in an effort to set an example I wanted to make this gift to help students fund their education at A&M while planting a new seed for others in the industry in the hopes they might follow suit.”
Susan Fulk, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences graduate and Performing Arts Secretary at Allen ISD, fully supports the creation of the architectural engineering program.
“Ken and fellow industry leaders saw the need for the creation of an architectural engineering degree at Texas A&M in order for the future of the discipline to be successful and innovative,” Susan said. “For any new program to be successful, there must be financial input, and with this scholarship endowment, we hope to both generate interest in the program and facilitate student learning by alleviating some of the cost associated with attending Texas A&M.”
Susan understands the value of an education from Texas A&M and desires for students to have every opportunity to attend should they choose.
“An education from Texas A&M carries a lot of weight in the business world,” Susan said. “Graduates from A&M are looked upon as well prepared, forward thinkers, achievers and innovators. These are people others want on their team.”
How to Give
The College of Engineering is one of the leading engineering programs in the United States, ranking first in undergraduate enrollment and ninth in graduate enrollment. Endowments supporting the students in the college have an immeasurable impact on their education. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering or would like more information on how you can give, please contact True Brown, director of development.