The gift is part of $1.8 million in grants that ExxonMobil is awarding to colleges and universities to be used for various educational purposes, such as scholarships, field trips, visiting speakers, equipment purchases and other academic projects.

“In addition to our general support of education, these grants are specifically directed to the university departments that are producing the well-qualified graduates which ExxonMobil needs,” said Sharyl Hackett, campus relations manager for ExxonMobil.

Among the UA departments that will benefit from the contribution are chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, civil engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering; and business administration in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration.