Susan and Keith MacIvor ’85 are no strangers to engineers, especially those who graduated from Texas A&M University. After witnessing the impact of a degree in petroleum engineering, the MacIvors have established a scholarship in their name to enable the continued success of Aggies who aim to make a difference in the petroleum industry.
Wichita, Kansas, was home for Keith until he made his way to College Station, Texas, to pursue his degree. His career choice was inspired by two of his uncles, who were petroleum engineers in Oklahoma. Keith’s experience at Texas A&M prepared him to thrive as he entered the industry.
Much of my career success was built on the foundation of my Aggie education. Because of the university’s reputation, I was always proud to have Texas A&M on my resume and enjoyed the networking aspects that go along with that education.
Although Susan did not attend Texas A&M, her tie to the university has been strong from the beginning. Her father, Tommy Walker Frank Sr., studied civil engineering at Texas A&M but was forced to cease his studies for financial reasons. With his story close to her heart, Susan is motivated to prevent finances from becoming an obstacle that hinders Aggies from receiving their degrees.
“I want to help students stay in school and achieve their goals,” Susan said. “As the daughter, wife and mother of Aggie engineering students, I’m thrilled to pay it forward and support future generations of Aggies.”
Together, the couple’s dedication to increasing financial opportunity within higher education will profoundly impact the recipients of the Susan and Keith MacIvor ’85 Petroleum Engineering Scholarship. To honor petroleum engineers who are residents of Kansas, Oklahoma or Texas, the scholarship will be awarded to students who graduated from high schools in those states.
“By providing students with this financial gift, I hope it will help lighten the load of their educational costs,” Keith said. “I benefited from scholarships when I was a student, and I would like to return the favor.”
The MacIvors’ two children, Meredith MacIvor ’19 and Alan MacIvor ’20, both graduated from Texas A&M as well, strengthening the family’s dedication to the university and its programs.
“Three generations of our family have loved Texas A&M, and we hope that continues for many more generations,” Susan said. “It’s an outstanding university, and the spirit and culture can’t be beat.”