The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has announced a $30 million donation from alumnus Miguel Loya, marking the largest gift in the university’s history. In recognition of this contribution, UTEP has renamed its college of engineering as the Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering.
The endowment will fund the Miguel A. Loya Scholarship Program, which is set to cover full tuition, room, board, and provide monthly stipends for exceptional incoming engineering students. Graduates who achieve top honors will be eligible for an additional award of up to $30,000 upon graduation. Applications for the scholarship program are scheduled to open in Fall 2026, with the first group of scholars enrolling in Fall 2027.
Miguel Loya, originally from El Paso, was the first among his siblings to earn a college degree. His parents did not attend high school but emphasized education as a path to opportunity. After earning his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from UTEP in 1977 and an MBA from Harvard two years later, Loya established a successful career in the energy sector with companies including Esso Eastern and Tenneco Oil before leading Vitol, Inc., part of one of the world’s largest oil trading groups.
A ceremony at UTEP marked both the announcement of Loya’s gift and the renaming of the college. The event was attended by Miguel Loya; John M. Zerwas, Chancellor of The University of Texas System; Heather Wilson, UTEP President; and Kenith Meissner, Dean of Engineering.
“UTEP had an extraordinary impact on my life and trajectory,” said Loya. “I am thrilled to be able to give back to this wonderful university and support future Miners on their own journeys.”
“This transformational gift from Miguel Loya will be one of the most generous in the nation and will support the best students who want to become engineers,” Wilson stated. “It will transform lives for generations to come. I couldn’t be more grateful to Miguel.”
“Mike Loya’s unique design of this scholarship program is something that is rare anywhere in higher education and it sends a strong and compelling message to aspiring engineering students that this is their place,” said Zerwas. “UTEP will forever be a national destination institution for top engineering students.”
“Our engineering graduates compete with best engineers,” added Meissner. “The Loya Scholarship program will build on the engineering excellence that is core to the Miguel A. Loya College of Engineering.”
The funds are intended not only for scholarships but also for developing outstanding engineering talent at UTEP. Recipients—known as Loya Scholars—will be selected based on academic achievement, leadership potential, and integrity.
Loya has previously been recognized by UTEP with its Gold Nugget Award in 2004 for professional achievements and community contributions and received its Distinguished Alumni award—the highest alumni honor—in 2010.
Currently enrolling over 5,000 students with more than 290 faculty and staff across seven departments, UTEP’s College of Engineering emphasizes real-world experience alongside academics and produces graduates sought after by leading companies nationwide.
