Scott C. Saenger, civil engineering former student. |
Image: Courtesy of Scott C. Saenger
Scott C. Saenger ’83, a civil engineering graduate, has contributed to the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program and the First-Generation Engineering Mentorship Program in the Texas A&M University College of Engineering to support students involved in either of the programs.
Growing up, Scott’s family had no ties to Texas A&M, but he said he was always being called an Aggie. “Others saw the Aggie in me from an early age,” he said. “It felt like I was destined to be an Aggie but when I arrived in Aggieland, I had only an inkling of what it meant to actually be one. Ultimately, my time at Texas A&M was instrumental in helping me to build a foundation for a career in civil engineering.”
In planning for his year-end giving, Scott reached out to the director of development, True Brown, to ask what needs the college had. “When he mentioned the two programs this gift supports, I loved the idea of supporting those initiatives,” he said. “Based on what was described to me, these are great programs that most people don’t know about.”
Scott said his stewardship and philanthropy thinking was greatly shaped when he was asked to give a ‘temple talk’ at church on stewardship. “As I thought through examples of stewardship and giving, three things came to mind,” he said. “Firstly, my dad. He would give the shirt off his back to help others. I remember how on many days he would come home from work, be dog-tired and yet find the strength to go help a neighbor or friend in need. Secondly, I thought of Aggies and their giving. The Aggies I knew growing up were proud to be Aggies and stood ready to give back. Lastly, I thought of church leaders who live their stewardship with their time, talents and treasures.”
Scott is grateful to have been able to be informed of the various opportunities to support the university, which have led to these newest gifts to the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program and the First-Generation Engineering Mentorship Program.
“I'm hopeful that this most recent gift will facilitate engineering entrepreneurial endeavors that will set a foundation for success for those in that program,” Scott said. “Likewise, engineers are needed to solve the world's problems. I would hope that the first-generation mentorship program will help to reduce the challenges that first-generation students face, and hopefully this gift will also help those students form a foundation for their success in ultimately helping to solve world problems.”
Scott believes that life is about growth; physical, emotional, professional and spiritual. “You should always look for opportunities to grow and learn,” he said. “Philanthropic giving is simply another growth opportunity. This gift is about stewardship, recognizing the many gifts and blessings I have received, recognizing what allowed me to receive them and giving back in an appropriate manner.”
Growing up, Scott’s family had no ties to Texas A&M, but he said he was always being called an Aggie. “Others saw the Aggie in me from an early age,” he said. “It felt like I was destined to be an Aggie but when I arrived in Aggieland, I had only an inkling of what it meant to actually be one. Ultimately, my time at Texas A&M was instrumental in helping me to build a foundation for a career in civil engineering.”
In planning for his year-end giving, Scott reached out to the director of development, True Brown, to ask what needs the college had. “When he mentioned the two programs this gift supports, I loved the idea of supporting those initiatives,” he said. “Based on what was described to me, these are great programs that most people don’t know about.”
Scott said his stewardship and philanthropy thinking was greatly shaped when he was asked to give a ‘temple talk’ at church on stewardship. “As I thought through examples of stewardship and giving, three things came to mind,” he said. “Firstly, my dad. He would give the shirt off his back to help others. I remember how on many days he would come home from work, be dog-tired and yet find the strength to go help a neighbor or friend in need. Secondly, I thought of Aggies and their giving. The Aggies I knew growing up were proud to be Aggies and stood ready to give back. Lastly, I thought of church leaders who live their stewardship with their time, talents and treasures.”
Scott is grateful to have been able to be informed of the various opportunities to support the university, which have led to these newest gifts to the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program and the First-Generation Engineering Mentorship Program.
“I'm hopeful that this most recent gift will facilitate engineering entrepreneurial endeavors that will set a foundation for success for those in that program,” Scott said. “Likewise, engineers are needed to solve the world's problems. I would hope that the first-generation mentorship program will help to reduce the challenges that first-generation students face, and hopefully this gift will also help those students form a foundation for their success in ultimately helping to solve world problems.”
Scott believes that life is about growth; physical, emotional, professional and spiritual. “You should always look for opportunities to grow and learn,” he said. “Philanthropic giving is simply another growth opportunity. This gift is about stewardship, recognizing the many gifts and blessings I have received, recognizing what allowed me to receive them and giving back in an appropriate manner.”
How to Give
The Engineering Entrepreneurship Program allows students to spark their creativity, discover new skills, prepare for the future and launch ideas into reality. The primary goal of the First-Generation Engineering Mentorship Program is to enhance first-generation engineering students’ educational and social experiences on campus by leveraging university and community resources that help provide a sense of community to these students.
If you are interested in supporting either of these programs, please contact True Brown, senior director of development.
If you are interested in supporting either of these programs, please contact True Brown, senior director of development.