Texas Southern University today announced it has established a new scholarship program, The Milton Carroll Scholarship Fund presented by CenterPoint Energy, in recognition of former CenterPoint Energy Board chairman and former TSU Board of Regents chairman, Milton Carroll. The program, which includes a $500,000 endowed scholarship and $150,000 in general scholarships for immediate student needs, will be awarded beginning in the fall 2024 and 2025 academic years, respectively.
“Milton Carroll has made an indelible impact on Texas Southern University for decades,” said Melinda Spaulding Chevalier, vice president for communications and university advancement/TSU Foundation executive director. “He has always put the interests and needs of our students first. TSU is grateful for this generous donation from CenterPoint Energy and the direction and guidance of Mr. Carroll to ensure his namesake scholars program will transform the lives of our students.”
CenterPoint Energy CEO Dave Lesar said, “Milton has been a source of inspiration, leadership, and guidance to all of us who have known him. For nearly 30 years, most of them as Chairman, he served as a trusted and valued member of our company. Throughout Milton’s time at CenterPoint Energy, as well as Reliant Energy and HL&P, his responsibilities and contributions increased significantly, including the outstanding leadership and direction he provided through several company transitions and major initiatives.”
Lesar added, “Among Milton’s longstanding passions are his alma mater, education, making friends and most importantly, empowering youth to reach their full potential. These scholarships named in his honor will ensure eligible TSU students have access to an outstanding education that will help meet the workforce demands of the future.”
Carroll began serving on the Board for CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies in 1992. He served as the executive chairman of the CenterPoint Energy Board of Directors from 2013 until his departure from the company in 2021. He is also founder and chairman of Instrument Products, Inc. an oilfield equipment manufacturing company. In addition to his work in the energy industry, he is chairman of the board of Health Care Service Corporation, a non-investor-owned mutual insurance company. Carroll is a former commissioner of the Port of Houston Authority. He is also a minority-owner of the Houston Astros.
Carroll graduated from Texas Southern with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology. Other civic involvements include former director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Houston and Dallas.
