Friends of Engineering Luncheon Highlights the Support Sparking Innovation
The sparks of a welding torch were among the first things that ignited Natalie Sepulveda’s ’26 interest in engineering. Her grandfather owns a welding company in the Rio Grande Valley, and for as long as she can remember, the field of engineering has captivated her.
“My granddad is one of my heroes, and as a second-generation student I knew I just wanted to follow in his footsteps,” Sepulveda said. “My older sister is also a big mentor of mine, and she always encouraged me to follow my dream. She always told me I’d do something in engineering. So, I definitely listened to her.”
Sepulveda, a civil engineering major and president of the American Society of Civil Engineers TAMU-CC Student Chapter, shared her journey as one of the featured speakers at the 10th annual Friends of Engineering Awards Luncheon, held Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the university’s Anchor Ballroom. Her story stood among many that reflect the innovation, determination, and talent of Islander students — made possible in large part by the generosity of dedicated supporters.
This year’s event honored two such champions: Charles E. Ferguson and Gulf Coast Growth Ventures. Ferguson, a retired systems engineer from Raytheon, built a remarkable career designing complex airborne electronic systems while mentoring young engineers along the way. He continues that legacy through the Charles E. Ferguson Endowed Scholarship in Engineering — along with scholarships established in memory of his late wife and son — helping TAMU-CC students pursue degrees and achieve their goals.
Meanwhile, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures has been a transformative partner for TAMU-CC, supporting students and the community in meaningful ways. Their endowed scholarships are directly investing in the next generation of engineers, while funding for the Harte Research Institute strengthens the university’s research infrastructure. Beyond higher education, they inspire future innovators through summer camps, STEMtronics, AI and cybersecurity programs, and sponsorship of the Coastal Bend Science Fair — giving local youth their first hands-on experience with engineering.
“I’m deeply grateful for everything our supporters have done to help us get to where we are today,” said David Ma, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “They are not just supporting our college and our educational mission—they are strengthening our workforce pipeline and the competitiveness of the industries that rely on it.”
That impact was on full display throughout the luncheon, where student teams showcased cutting-edge research projects with real-world applications. Among them was Nathan Favier ’26, a mechanical engineering student from France, whose team is developing an underwater robot designed to collect debris from waterways. With more than $2,000 in funding, projects like his demonstrate how donor support directly fuels innovation.
“We are so grateful for the support and the belief others have in our work,” Favier said. “What we’re building has the potential to make a real difference, and it wouldn’t be possible without them.”
For university leaders, the event underscored a powerful truth: progress is a collective effort.
“The growth in our College of Engineering and Computer Science since it was established back in 2022 would not be possible without all of the people in this room and all that they have contributed to this campus,” said President and CEO, Dr. Kelly M. Miller. “It really does take a village, or in this case an island, to make the work being done by our faculty, staff, and students possible. The support our contributors give us truly allows us to excel in ways that are garnering national attention and changing lives.”This is archived content and was published before April 24, 2026. While we are committed to making our digital spaces accessible to everyone, some parts of this archived content may not fully comply with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards.
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