United Supermarkets Graduate Fellowship Endowment Awards Scholarships to Area Students

United Supermarkets announced the first scholarship recipients of the United Supermarkets Graduate Fellowship Endowment at Texas Tech University for the 2012-2013 academic year. The students include Lubbock natives Valeria Hernandez, Cameron Oliver and David Tombs; Amarillo native Samantha Chaves and Perryton native Emily Hammer. The endowment resulted from a $3 million gift from United Supermarkets, LLC to the Texas Tech Foundation to endow two scholarship programs at the university. Scholarships are available to both new and continuing graduate students pursuing any area of study at Texas Tech. This year’s deserving recipients are active in the Lubbock community and working toward graduate degrees from Texas Tech University with financial help from the endowment. Ms. Hernandez is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, seeking to become a bilingual teacher. She is the reigning the Miss Hispanic Lubbock 2012 and spent more than 100 hours volunteering in the Lubbock community during the past year. Mr. Oliver is pursuing a master’s degree in crop science with hopes of becoming a field agronomist for a major cotton company. He has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity and Haven Animal Shelter in Lubbock. Mr. Tombs is seeking a master’s degree in personal financial planning after completing his bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech only three weeks after turning 18. He is an Eagle Scout and has volunteered at more than a dozen charities throughout Lubbock. Ms. Chaves is pursuing a master’s degree in nutritional science in hopes of securing a career as a dietitian. She volunteers with Kids Café, YW-CAre, Ronald McDonald House, South Plains Food Bank, Hope Community of Shalom, Up ‘til Dawn and Impact Tech. Ms. Hammer is pursuing a doctorate of philosophy in curriculum and instruction and seeks to become a teacher in higher education, focusing on experiential learning techniques to better prepare students for the workforce. She also maintains a full-time job while pursuing her education goals. Additionally, Ms. Hammer holds a leadership role in the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Association and has participated in various volunteer organizations, including CASA of the South Plains and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.