Texas A&M University former student Jeff Sober ’05 and his wife, Grace, generously established an endowed fellowship to provide a financial opportunity for engineering graduate students. |
Image: Courtesy of Grace and Jeff Sober.
Grace and Jeff Sober ’05 have established the Grace (UT ’09) and Jeff Sober ’05 Graduate Fellowship. Distributions from this endowment will provide one or more fellowships to full-time students in good standing pursuing a graduate degree in the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University.
For Jeff and Grace Sober, majoring in civil and environmental engineering was a desire deeply rooted in their shared love for the outdoors. Both first-generation Texans, Jeff and Grace spend most of their time swimming, kayaking, hiking or biking all across the state with their one- and three-year-old daughters.
“If it’s outside, we love it,” Jeff said. “That love for the outdoors is a big part of what inspired both Grace and I to become engineers in the environmental field.”
Studying a subject they both enjoy allowed the Sobers to spend their careers protecting and enhancing the waters of Texas they hold so close to their hearts. It is a passion that they hope to pass to their children.
“Watching our daughters fall in love with the waters of Texas is a great reminder of the legacy we are responsible for passing down,” Grace said. “It is one of our greatest honors to have the opportunity to give back to a university that inspires other students to go out and do the same.”
Jeff began his college education in 2001. Not only did he choose Texas A&M for the education that would bolster his career, but also for the many traditions, networking opportunities and life lessons he would learn along the way.
“The community and traditions of Texas A&M resonated with me and drew me to the university,” Jeff said. “I knew that the Aggie network would provide me with long-term benefits in faith, business and friends.”
After graduating in 2005, Jeff decided to head straight into his master’s degree in the civil and environmental engineering department. While at first shocked by the cost of graduate school, Jeff was relieved to have some of the financial burden lifted with the gift of a fellowship.
“It took the pressure off and allowed me to focus on school,” Jeff said. “My graduate degree has now afforded me the opportunity to do the same for another Aggie.”
The Sobers believe that being able to supply another student with a life-changing gift is about easing their financial strain and setting that student up to help shape the future of civil and environmental engineering.
“My goal is to allow a future graduate student to focus on making the world better through their environmental engineering degree and focus their time on giving back to the community in lieu of worrying about finances,” Jeff said.
While Jeff and Grace share a passion for helping the next generation of civil engineers, their alma maters could not be any more different. Grace graduated from The University of Texas in 2009 but holds the utmost respect for the values and traditions of Texas A&M.
“We love being a ‘house divided,’” Jeff said. “It makes us uniquely Texan — a pride we both rally around.”
Rivalries aside, the Sobers take their duty of enhancing the education of future civil and environmental engineers very seriously. Giving back to students, whether they study in College Station or Austin, has been an honor for the couple.
“My wife and I couldn't be more excited to help continue the legacy of environmental engineering in Texas,” Jeff said. “Whether your family says ‘Howdy’ or ‘Hook 'Em,’ we are excited to be a part of the next generation of engineers.”
For Jeff and Grace Sober, majoring in civil and environmental engineering was a desire deeply rooted in their shared love for the outdoors. Both first-generation Texans, Jeff and Grace spend most of their time swimming, kayaking, hiking or biking all across the state with their one- and three-year-old daughters.
“If it’s outside, we love it,” Jeff said. “That love for the outdoors is a big part of what inspired both Grace and I to become engineers in the environmental field.”
Studying a subject they both enjoy allowed the Sobers to spend their careers protecting and enhancing the waters of Texas they hold so close to their hearts. It is a passion that they hope to pass to their children.
“Watching our daughters fall in love with the waters of Texas is a great reminder of the legacy we are responsible for passing down,” Grace said. “It is one of our greatest honors to have the opportunity to give back to a university that inspires other students to go out and do the same.”
Jeff began his college education in 2001. Not only did he choose Texas A&M for the education that would bolster his career, but also for the many traditions, networking opportunities and life lessons he would learn along the way.
“The community and traditions of Texas A&M resonated with me and drew me to the university,” Jeff said. “I knew that the Aggie network would provide me with long-term benefits in faith, business and friends.”
After graduating in 2005, Jeff decided to head straight into his master’s degree in the civil and environmental engineering department. While at first shocked by the cost of graduate school, Jeff was relieved to have some of the financial burden lifted with the gift of a fellowship.
“It took the pressure off and allowed me to focus on school,” Jeff said. “My graduate degree has now afforded me the opportunity to do the same for another Aggie.”
The Sobers believe that being able to supply another student with a life-changing gift is about easing their financial strain and setting that student up to help shape the future of civil and environmental engineering.
“My goal is to allow a future graduate student to focus on making the world better through their environmental engineering degree and focus their time on giving back to the community in lieu of worrying about finances,” Jeff said.
While Jeff and Grace share a passion for helping the next generation of civil engineers, their alma maters could not be any more different. Grace graduated from The University of Texas in 2009 but holds the utmost respect for the values and traditions of Texas A&M.
“We love being a ‘house divided,’” Jeff said. “It makes us uniquely Texan — a pride we both rally around.”
Rivalries aside, the Sobers take their duty of enhancing the education of future civil and environmental engineers very seriously. Giving back to students, whether they study in College Station or Austin, has been an honor for the couple.
“My wife and I couldn't be more excited to help continue the legacy of environmental engineering in Texas,” Jeff said. “Whether your family says ‘Howdy’ or ‘Hook 'Em,’ we are excited to be a part of the next generation of engineers.”
How to Give
Endowments supporting students in the Texas A&M University College of Engineering have an immeasurable impact on their education. If you are interested in supporting the College of Engineering and its departments, or would like more information on how you can give, please contact Patrick Wilson, director of development.