BASF Awards Scholarships to 11 LSU Engineering Students

BASF has awarded $27,500 in scholarships to 11 students attending Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge and majoring in engineering disciplines. The annual scholarship program is focused on developing Louisiana’s talent pipeline through BASF’s workforce and development efforts across the state. Scholarship recipients were invited to a luncheon with BASF leaders.

“BASF’s unwavering dedication to developing the next generation of talent is critical. The success of our industry and Louisiana is dependent on the exceptional promise demonstrated by the recipients of these scholarships,” said Jerry Lebold, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BASF’s Geismar, Louisiana site. “Through this scholarship program, we recognize and provide support to some of LSU’s finest engineering students, empowering them to embark on their professional journey with confidence and emerge as innovators and leaders within our workforce.”

BASF’s scholarship program at LSU is comprised of two scholarships –Recruitment and Team Chemistry. Through these scholarships, BASF aims to aid LSU in recruiting high-caliber incoming freshman students pursuing degrees in engineering and recognizing sophomores and juniors for maintaining a strong grade point average, demonstrating leadership and expressing interest in a manufacturing career. Each student receives $2,500 toward their college education and will have the opportunity for a summer internship at BASF’s Geismar site.

BASF Recruitment Scholarship recipients include:

• Michael Ferguson is a freshman from Marrero, Louisiana studying chemical engineering.
• Tanner LaComb is a freshman from Elton, Louisiana studying electrical engineering.
• Neil Muralles is a freshman from Denham Springs, Louisiana studying civil engineering.
• Daniel Wright is a freshman from Shreveport, Louisiana studying mechanical engineering.

BASF Team Chemistry Scholarship recipients include:

• Lily Antor is a junior from Slaughter, Louisiana studying chemical engineering. Antor is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers and Refuge College Ministry and has completed a three-year restoration of a 1974 Volkswagen Beetle.
• Lena Gunn is a sophomore from Mandeville, Louisiana studying mechanical engineering. Gunn is a graduate of Mandeville High School and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, Chevron Leadership Academy and Society of Peer Mentors.
• Jesus Hernandez is a junior studying chemical engineering. Hernandez has served as secretary of the LSU Math club and is a recipient of the Scholars Award, Paul H. Horton Memorial Award and TAF – Engineering award.
• William Mancuso is a junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana studying electrical engineering. Mancuso is a member of the LSU band, serving as trombone section leader in 2023-24.
• Bao-Hung Nguyen is a junior studying electrical engineering. Nguyen has previously worked as a robotics competition team member, designing, prototyping, building and testing robots for annual challenges, and also as a research assistant and electrical engineering intern.
• Brandon Sanders is a junior studying electrical engineering. Sanders is a graduate from Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois. Sanders has been an active volunteer with the Red Cross and Bethlehem Church in Cannonsburg, Mississippi.
• Anna Tran is a junior from Biloxi, Mississippi studying chemical engineering. Tran graduated from St. Patrick Catholic High School and is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Ogden Honors College. Tran is also a recipient of the LSU Distinguished Freshman, Most Valuable Student award from Elks Lodge National and Flagship Scholars Award.

“For decades, BASF has been one of the key corporate supporters of LSU’s College of Engineering and its students.  With anticipated growth of the Louisiana chemical industry, including toward sustainable manufacturing, this relationship is more important than ever. I look forward to continued partnership with BASF in areas of student support, workforce development, and research and development challenges,” said Karsten Thompson, interim dean of the Louisiana State University of College of Engineering.

BASF’s manufacturing presence near LSU includes operations in Geismar and Vidalia. These sites employ a workforce of nearly 2,000 people and invest approximately $300 million in Louisiana through annual payroll, purchases, taxes and charitable contributions to community partners throughout South Louisiana. For more information about BASF in Louisiana, visit www.basf.us/la.