Houston Industries fund helps students

By Miriam Garcia
Daily Cougar Staff

An organization that provides scholarships to UH students also attempts to raise awareness of the University's resources to the business community.

The Houston chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties awarded eight $2,500 scholarships during the past two years to students interested in pursuing a career in commercial real estate.

Don Thomas, NAIOP scholarship committee chair and UH alumnus, said the group will continue to provide scholarships to students in the future.

UH is a resource local businesses have not learned to appreciate, Thomas said. UH is the only university recipient of this scholarship, because NAIOP feels UH has not been the recipient of enough scholarships from the rest of the community, Thomas explained.

"The scholarships are provided equally in hopes that fellow developers and community real-estate professionals look to UH," he said. "We want to raise awareness of the University."

The scholarship also gives students an opportunity to meet members of NAIOP who offer internship opportunities, meeting the organization's goal of providing students with awareness of the real-estate business.

"This scholarship provided me more than just money," said Christopher Clements, a senior entrepreneurship major who received a scholarship for the Spring and Fall 1998 semesters. "It provided a lot of good contacts in an industry I'm interested in."

NAIOP's mission is to provide developers and owners of industrial, office and related commercial real estate with effective support and guidance to create, protect and enhance property values.