Thomsen-Baker-Telfer STEM Scholarship News
UPDATE FROM 2024 THOMSEN-BAKER-TELFER SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Below is an update from our third 2024 Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship recipient. (4/2025)
Emerie McCann
Emerie graduated from Houston ISD and is a student at University of Texas in Austin. Like our other two scholarship recipients, Emerie is enjoying success in her first year of college and is keeping incredibly busy.
My name is Emerie McCann, and I am a first-year Environmental Engineering major at The University of Texas at Austin, set to graduate in May 2028 as part of the Class of 2028. I am honored to be a recipient of the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship, which has given me the opportunity to focus on both my academic and extracurricular growth during my first semester.
Starting college has been both an exciting and challenging experience. Adjusting to the rigorous coursework of an engineering degree, balancing my studies with campus involvement, and finding my place in such a large university have all pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. Despite the struggles, I have worked through them and, in the process, developed an even deeper passion for environmental engineering. I am more motivated than ever to address the environmental disparities affecting underserved communities, and I look forward to continuing to build the skills and knowledge that will allow me to make a real impact in the future.
Beyond academics, I have immersed myself in student organizations that align with my passions and values. I joined Texas Lonestars, an all-women and nonbinary spirit and service organization that fosters community, philanthropy, and leadership at UT Austin. Within Lonestars, I am actively involved in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee, where I contribute to efforts that ensure our organization remains welcoming and inclusive for all members. Looking ahead, I plan to run for DEI Chair next semester, as I want to take on a larger role in promoting diversity and ensuring that everyone in Lonestars feels seen, heard, and valued.
Furthermore, I am an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) UT Austin chapter. NSBE has been an invaluable resource in my engineering journey, allowing me to connect with other Black engineers, gain mentorship, and expand my professional network. Through NSBE, I have been able to further explore my interests in environmental engineering while also surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who share similar goals of breaking barriers in STEM fields.
This first semester has been an incredible learning experience, and I am so grateful for the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship, which has made it possible for me to focus on both my studies and my passions. This support has allowed me to fully immerse myself in my education and leadership opportunities, and I hope to pay it forward by using my platform and experiences to uplift others in the future.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the members of AAUW West Harris County Branch for making this scholarship possible. Your generosity has not only impacted my journey but has also motivated me to continue striving for excellence, leadership, and service. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and am excited to continue growing academically, professionally, and personally throughout my time at UT Austin.
Emerie McCann
Environmental Engineering Major
at the University of Texas at Austin
Natalie Skeen, Spring Branch ISD Recipient
My name is Natalie Skeen, and I am currently a freshman on the pre-med track at the University of Texas at Austin. In addition to a Bachelor of Science in Biology, I am pursuing UT’s Pre-health Professions Certificate and am still deciding on a minor at this time. Following my undergraduate career, it is my goal to attend medical school, become an MD, and later specialize in pediatric neurology or cardiology.
During my time at UT, I have been and continue to be a member of cohorts such as the Biology Scholars Program (BSP), Freshman Research Initiative (FRI), and Women In Stem Program (WiSTEM). In addition, I have recently joined UT’s Emancipet on Campus, an animal welfare community, and will soon be joining some of UT’s pre-med student organizations. While my free time is a bit more limited these days, I am continuing my work as a swim instructor, coach, lifeguard, and deck manager at my local YMCA when I visit home over weekends and holiday breaks. Thanks to the many groups I am a part of, I have also been able to establish an amazing network of friends and mentors that have helped me to thrive in both a social and academic manner.
As a child with only one relative – my mom, who works as a nurse — navigating the finances of college has been difficult. For this reason, the Thomsen Baker Telfer Scholarship has been incredibly helpful in easing my financial burdens. This last semester I was able to fully focus on adjusting to college life, learning new study methods, and maintaining good grades rather than the stress of having to work during the semester to help pay for school. As a result, I ended my first semester with a 4.0 and am beyond grateful for the positive impact this scholarship has had on my academic success. This opportunity is one that I will forever be thankful for, as it will continue to benefit me as I put all my efforts towards my future medical career.
Below is a letter we received from Fathia Fakoya, one of the three 2024 Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship winners, on her first semester at Texas A&M University (TAMU). It is rewarding to see how well she is doing and involved in not just academic endeavors, but also community outreach. As we receive updates from other Thomsen-Baker-Telfer recipients we will publish them.
Good morning.
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to give an update on myself for the fall semester. I apologize for sending this late; I intended to provide up-to-date information on my proceedings, and I can only be sure of the facts now.
My first semester at Texas A&M University started amazingly. I immediately had great social connections, as I met like-minded people and applied for great organizations. I am now a committed member of the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS), which is a top-pioneer organization for minorities who are looking to enter any healthcare field. I am also a member of the 12th Can- a student-run food pantry that makes food accessible to the students and faculty of TAMU who need it.
My academic performance started great as well. The classes were challenging with a much heavier workload than I was used to, so it took me a while to get used to the flow of things. At the end of the semester, I passed all my classes and obtained a 4.0 GPA.
I look forward to a few more things next semester: such as my trip with MAPS to a medical conference called AMEC for exposure and networking with healthcare professionals, and my research assistant position with a public health professor who deals with rural occupational healthcare.
The first semester has come to an end, and I feel grateful to have been given a chance to experience it fully without much worry about my financial situation. I will continue to uphold excellence through my endeavors.
Thank you so much,
Fathia Fakoya
December 2024
Congratulations to the AAUW-West Harris County Branch!
The Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund satisfied a goal set in August by a generous, anonymous member of collecting $10,000.00 contributed by at least half of the branch membership. If the branch met that goal by November 28, 2024, she would donate an additional $10,000.00. You met that goal a month early and the checks are still coming in. If you haven’t heard, so far, we have collected $12,025.00 from 87 members. After November 28, 2024, Thomsen-Baker-Telfer will announce the final figures. Your generosity and the generosity of our anonymous donor have given Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund the ability to open an account with Fidelity Investments with the purpose of eventually endowing one or two of our annual scholarships.
Through the generosity of member donors over the past year, Thomsen-Baker-Telfer had almost $60,000 invested in CD’s. As these CD’s mature, the resulting funds are being deposited to the Fidelity Account. The donations provided by our membership during this drive and the $10,000 matching grant are also being deposited into that account. They will be allocated between a Money Market and a managed investment fund containing a mixture of stocks and bonds. Future donations will be invested in this account with sufficient cash kept in the Money Market to provide for the scholarships awarded that year. By the end of the first quarter of 2025, we should have invested $80,000.00 at Fidelity. $15,000 will be in the Money Market for the 2025 scholarships and $65,000 will be in the managed investment fund. We need to have at least $100,000 invested to generate the income to endow two $5,000 scholarships.
We can do it!
*The only fees associated with the Fidelity Account are the fund expense fees. There are no management fees associated with the account.
October 2024
First and foremost, thank you to all who have donated and are still donating to the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund. The matching grant has been met! Checks are still arriving. The matching grant, total dollars and number of members, will not be finally calculated until November 28, 2024. The following are answers to questions you might have.
Question 1: Why does the scholarship fund need a surplus of funds?
- The surplus funds will make it possible to keep the scholarship amount steady or increase in value. The Board of Labor Statistics released the inflation rate from September 2023 to September 2024 at 2.4%. We will need to periodically increase the scholarship amount to keep it at the current level. This year, the AAUW WHC board approved an increased value from $3,500 per student to $4,000. This reflects the generous donations received from our membership.
- Historically, the scholarship amount has varied with the level of donations given by the membership. If there should be a lean year in donations, the scholarship fund will be able to retain the $4,000 per year scholarship level. This signals to high school counselors and STEM teachers that the scholarship is worthy of recommending to their students.
Question 2: How are our donations being protected?
- Over the last few years, a small amount of operating cash has been kept in the checking account. The rest has been in CDs. Currently, $69,662 is invested in business CD’s earning 4.4-4.8%. Each year, one CD has been scheduled to come due in late April or May in time to write the scholarship checks.
- CD values have decreased dramatically this month. It is time to change our investment strategy. With that in mind, the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship board began looking at investment institutions. The decision was made to deposit the funds into an investment account with Fidelity Investments. Two of the business CDs are due this month. The funds from those CDs will be deposited into this newly opened account.
- Scholarship board members met with an investment counselor from Fidelity. The money will be invested with a portion going to long-term and short-term investments. We were advised that it will take approximately $80,000 to fund one scholarship. With that in mind, $12,000 will be retained in a CD to cover the 2025 scholarships. The remaining funds will be invested to meet the long-term funding needs of one scholarship.
The scholarship board welcomes questions and advice from our members. The board meets monthly by Zoom at 9:30 AM on the last Monday of the month. Please email thomsenbakertelferscholarship@gmail.com for the Zoom link if you would like to attend.
2024 March
Wow, how the Fund has grown! The Fund was created in 1994 to honor Theodore E. Baker, son of Arlene Baker and William G. Telfer, son of Carol Telfer. Arlene and Carol each donated $1,000 to begin the fund. For a number of years $200 scholarships were awarded to 3 students, one each from Alief ISD, Houston ISD, and Spring Branch ISD. Today, the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund has $68,388,57 in CD’s and the checking account. This June we will give $3,500 to each of the 3 students. We will also pay for their meal and one guest to attend the June Luncheon.
Our thanks go to the many members who have made donations this year. Each donation is a commitment to educating young women in STEM. This month the Fund had many notable happenings. Leon and Pat Thomsen made another $10,000 donation to the Fund.
Mike Dach, who is retired from Chevron, made a donation for the Dach family (Pat). He then reached out to Chevron for the corporation’s matching donation. To receive the donation, paperwork was completed so the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund could be listed on the Blackbaud giving site. This is a world-wide site that is used by many corporations. Please contact Carolyn Morris if you need any help with matching donations. We have also discovered that many financial institutions offer matching grants. This spring, the Scholarship Fund will be setting up a committee to advise the Fund on how best to invest our endowment funds. We are looking for West Harris County members who are interested in being on this committee. Please contact Brenda Moss or Carolyn Morris if you are interested.
2024 February
Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund Many thanks again to our members. We have met our $10,000 matching grant. And, we have had other generous donations. All donations count, large or small, and are appreciated. We will be awarding a $3,500 scholarship to each of 3 senior girls from Alief, Spring Branch and Houston ISD majoring in a STEM field and planning to attend a 4-year college.
Thanks to the efforts of members Jan Kerekgyarto and Anne Amador in securing a $3,000 donation from the First Congregational Church of Houston Endowment Board. Our scholarship application will be posted by Pamela Ossorio on our website from February 1 to April 15. After our evaluation and selection, it will be exciting to meet 3 college-bound girls at our June luncheon. Our 2023-2024 fundraising drive is a roaring success due to your generosity!
2023 October
Many thanks for the generous donations of our AAUW-WHC members. We met our $10,000 matching grant from our anonymous donor. We will be able to give college STEM scholarships this year, 2023-24, to three deserving girls from our area school districts – Alief ISD, Spring Branch ISD and Houston ISD. Thank you again for your support and generosity to the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship. Please remember we will continue accepting donations to the scholarship fund.
At the October 9, West Harris County Board meeting, a motion passed to raise the scholarship to $3,500 per student. That is a total of $10,500 to be awarded in the spring of 2024. Each year since the start of the scholarship the WHC board has decided the value of the scholarship.
In January, there will be several ways you can become involved with the scholarship fund. Volunteer to: 1. be on the financial committee to guide the investment of the fund; 2. rewrite the scholarship by-laws; 3. be on the board of directors; 4. be on the scholarship selection committee. Rewriting the by-laws and the scholarship selection committee are bite size commitments. The financial committee and board of director commitments will last throughout the year.
Financial Information
The Matching Grant started at the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1, 2023, and was achieved by the first week of October with donations of $10,395.
Brenda Moss
The Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Board
April 2023
Scholarship Celebratory Luncheon
Friday February 24th, we had a celebratory luncheon for AAUW WHC members. The purpose of the event was to acknowledge and honor the persons who set up the Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund (formerly Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund): Arlene Baker, Carol Telfer (deceased), Marietta Hostak, Mary Dodson, Dana Cutts, Diana Guarniere, Patricia Dach, Gwen Robberson (deceased), Eric Anderson (deceased), Susan Thompson, and Pat and Leon Thomsen. We appreciate their dedication to the college education of young women from Houston ISD, Alief ISD, and Spring Branch ISD. This celebration was totally underwritten by: Friends of AAUW Funds and Friends of Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund.
The luncheon took place at SBISD’s Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum, 901 Yorkchester Dr. There were 43 people present. Each table was elegantly set with china provided by each table host and the stemware used for drinks was donated by Susan Dutton. We had a wonderful fresh salad with grilled chicken and a delicious cookie prepared by Belong Kitchen who employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their Grab and Go Kitchen is located at 9655 Katy Freeway, Village Towers Plaza, Suite 3105. If you find yourself in the area or tend to like buying prepared meals, you might want to support this business. They post the weekly menu online. (https://www.belongkitchenhtx.org)
 Mary Dodson, Dana Cutts, Diana Guarniere, Marietta Hostak, Pat Dach and Susan Thompson Arlene Baker was not able to attend. |
Carolyn Morris gave a thorough description of the history of the scholarship as well as a financial report and Sharon Jorgensen outlined the scholarship application and selection process and answered questions. Thanks to Dallas Morris and Gene Stoffel for providing parking attendant services. And a huge thank you to Carolyn Morris for planning and organizing the luncheon! After lunch we enjoyed looking through the various art exhibits.
AAUW members have been asking how to make a donation in honor or memory of a loved one. The generosity of our membership supports this scholarship. Donors will receive a letter that states that their donation is tax deductible. The person you are honoring (or the person handling the estate of your deceased honoree) will also receive notice of your gift. Checks should be made out to Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund and given or mailed to Carolyn Morris, 11159 Riverview Way, Houston, TX 77042. We also accept electronic payments using Zelle. Zelle is available through most major bank apps under transfers and incurs no additional fees to the donor or the scholarship fund. To use Zelle, enter the following email address (using the exact spelling and spacing): thomsenbakertelferscholarship@gmail.com
You may enter Carolyn Morris as the name and there is an opportunity for you to type the name and reason for your donation.
April 14th is the deadline for our scholarship application. If you want to share the link with applicants, use: https://westharriscounty-tx.aauw.net/about/scholarships/
The Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Board appreciates your support!
The Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Board
The Thomsen-Baker-Telfer Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) deductible organization funded through contributions from all our generous members.
This webpage was last modified: June 30, 2025