Dallas Post Foundation Scholarships

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The SAME Dallas Post Foundation is thrilled to introduce our 2026 Scholarship Chair, Latrice Cielo, PE, Principal, Electrical Engineering, RCDD, Coffman Engineers, Inc.! 

Latrice and her committee will advertise in January 2026 for online scholarship applications in three categories: high school, undergraduate, and Veteran undergraduate. We are sincerely committed to fundraising for The SAME Dallas Post Foundation scholarships and education & mentoring activities supporting graduating high school seniors and college students. Our scholarships truly make a significant financial contribution in college careers. Recent scholarship recipients share testimonies on how these scholarships provide beneficial influence in their world. We invite you to read below to understand the significant, positive impact these scholarships make with college students pursuing STEM degrees. 

The annual Marvin & Julie Fisher Veteran Scholarship is processed through the Dallas Post Foundation and is a benefit paid directly to the Veteran recipient (see testimony below ).  If you are interested in establishing your own scholarship through the Foundation, or wish to donate to our Post Foundation, please contact  Latrice @ latrice.celio@coffman.com.

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College Update from Luke Kaiser, Texas A&M

Howdy Ms. Fisher,

Thank you for reaching out, and I hope you’re doing well. I want to sincerely thank the SAME Dallas Post for the scholarship support that has helped make my journey at Texas A&M possible. I’m currently a senior majoring in Industrial and Systems Engineering with minors in Project Management and Mathematics. I also passed the ISEN FE Exam this Summer. The financial assistance from the Dallas Post scholarship has eased the burden of tuition and allowed me to focus fully on my coursework, internships, and leadership opportunities.

Over the past 1.5 years, I’ve gained hands-on experience as an Automation Engineer Intern for Hobas Pipe in Houston, where I developed programs to improve engineering efficiency. I was able to get a connection at Hobas with the help of Buddy Barnes. I have served as the Vice President and Secretary of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) student chapter at Texas A&M, helping connect students with professional mentors and technical development opportunities. I will be graduating this semester, and the support from the Dallas Post has not only contributed to my academic success but also inspired me to give back to the SAME community and pursue a career where I can continue to make a difference.

Thank you again for your generosity to students like me.

Best Regards,
Luke Kaiser

Texas A&M

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College Update from Gracie Stanford, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Texas A&M

Howdy, Ms. Fisher,

The Society of American Military Engineers Dallas Post Scholarship was such a blessing to receive for the 2025-2026 school year. To say this scholarship lightened the burden that a new school year’s worth of tuition can bring is an understatement. It is the generosity of the Dallas Post that makes such amazing scholarship opportunities possible for so many students like me. College is a great opportunity to grow as individuals, however, it is just as important to see great examples set. I strongly believe that the chapter and post leaders of this amazing organization set those great examples by displaying undeniable integrity, ambition, alongside many other great qualities.

This fall I have become much more involved at the school as I continue to get more and more comfortable with my place in Texas A&M’s Civil Engineering department. With that has come more organizations to try out and become more involved in, getting to personally know more people, both fellow students and faculty, along with feeling more confident and joyous in how I am contributing and will contribute to my community. Society of American Engineers, Turning Point USA, and the American Society of Civil Engineers are the three main organizations I am involved with. However, I also volunteer for Breakaway’s Reach team which I plan on doing for the rest of my time at Texas A&M. I am motivated to continue my academic college career strong while also integrating great internships into my schedule. 

Again, thank you all for your time, efforts, and generosity, it is greatly appreciated. 

Best,

Gracie

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College Update from Aahana Mallela, Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin

Hi Ms. Fisher,

Thank you for reaching out and for the incredible support from SAME Dallas Post Foundation. 

Receiving this scholarship has made a tremendous difference in my college journey so far. As a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in computer science, this scholarship has provided both financial relief and motivation to pursue my studies with confidence. 

Over the past few months, I’ve had to opportunity to become a Corporate Officer for the Machine Learning Data Science club, be involved in Women in Computer Science where I have been a part of some volunteer initiatives in the greater Austin area, and be a Student Researcher as part of the Freshman Research Initiative. I have also recently received an offer to work at State Farm next summer as an Information Security Intern.

I am very grateful for the generosity and encouragement from this amazing organization. Your support has not only helped me focus on my academic and career goals but has also inspired me to continue giving back to my community.

Thank you so much again,

Aahana 

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College Update from Calli Svendsen, Civil Engineering, Abilene Christian University

Hi Julie,

It’s great to hear from you and I’m excited to share how the SAME Scholarship has made a positive impact on my college thus far. Most importantly, this scholarship made attending Abilene Christian University, ACU,to study civil engineering a possibility for me to attend by helping cover my tuition and expenses. There have been multiple opportunities for me since I’ve moved to Abilene that would not have been possible if I wasn’t at ACU. 

First, I applied and was accepted to the ACU Honors College after I committed to ACU through the help of scholarships like SAME. I am now a part of the Honor College’s Honor Council for this school year. Being a part of this council gives me service opportunities and chances to both plan and volunteer at community service and social events. I have loved being able to give back to my campus in this way. Another opportunity l’ve had through ACU this semester is attending the National Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Conference in New Orleans. While a company local to Abilene partnered with ACU’s SWE chapter for this trip, there was still a fee to attend. Receiving this scholarship to help cover the cost of my tuition and expenses allowed me to finish paying for the conference and attend it with the rest of ACU’s SWE chapter. This trip has given me great opportunities to network with other engineering companies and gain experience interviewing for internship positions. The experience I gained by attending this conference is invaluable to me. I know the financial support provided through this scholarship that helped me get to ACU is to thank for this experience. 

The opportunities I’ve had thus far attending Abilene Christian University to study civil engineering, wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for scholarships like SAME. I want to say thank you for awarding me this scholarship and allowing me to grow in my knowledge and passion for engineering. 

Sincerely,

Calli Svendsen

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In 2024, the annual Marvin & Julie Fisher Veteran Scholarship was established and is awarded through the SAME Dallas Post Foundation scholarship application process.  James McKinley (UNT) was the inaugural recipient, with Didender Yanez (UNT) recognized as the 2025 recipient.

“We are duty-bound to give back to our local communities, society in general, and the SAME organization that has given so much to Julie and I, professionally as well as personally. This Veteran scholarship is a meaningful way to provide Veterans with financial assistance for education opportunities, provides us a close connection to mentoring these students, as well as helps professionally develop our next generation of STEM leaders. Assisting Veterans in overcoming financial burdens is an excellent way to honor them and their service, and attract Veterans to our AEC industry. Veterans bring significant value to companies that are fortunate to hire them as part of their professional staff.  Julie and I are greatly blessed to be in a position to financially support students and are deeply honored to get to know these Veterans, while bringing a measure of support to their collegiate efforts.” Marvin Fisher, F.SAME, Colonel USAF Retired

College Update from Didender Yanez, Mechanical & Energy Engineering, University of North Texas

Hello Julie,

When I found out I received the Marvin & Julie Fisher Veteran Scholarship, I honestly didn’t believe it at first. I must’ve read the email five times before it really hit me. The first thing I felt was relief… relief from some of the financial pressure and from always trying to juggle school, bills, and everyday life after the Marines. Getting that kind of support made it possible to really focus on school again. It also reminded me that there are people out there who care about helping veterans like me move forward after service.

I’m now a junior studying Mechanical and Energy Engineering at the University of North Texas. The classes can be tough, but I’ve learned that I actually enjoy figuring things out and seeing how all the pieces connect from basic physics to big systems like power-generating systems. That’s the kind of stuff that keeps me interested and gives meaning to all the hours of work. I really respect the professors who go out of their way to break down difficult material and show how it connects to the real world. Those are the moments that make me appreciate what I’m studying.

Being a veteran student means I bring the discipline, focus, and adaptability I learned in the Marines into everything I do. Those habits help me stay on track, manage heavy class loads, and keep pushing even when things get hard. This scholarship made a big difference. It gave me the stability to take more classes and the confidence to chase other opportunities, like connecting with people in the engineering field and exploring internships I wouldn’t have had the time for before.

What makes this scholarship special is that it’s more than just financial help. It’s proof that someone believes in what veterans can do when given a chance. It reminds me that the work I put in matters and that others want to see me succeed. I’m truly thankful to the Dallas Post members and donors for making that possible. Their generosity doesn’t just help cover expenses. It gives veterans like me a sense of purpose, belonging, and motivation to keep going. I plan to carry that forward and make the most of this opportunity.

Respectfully,

Didender Yanez

University of North Texas

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