Sonnenberg Scholars Program

Friends of Alex Sonnenberg created the Sonnenberg Scholars Program at Rice Business to benefit a special operations veteran who espouses the principles Alex lived by. We rely on the generosity of donors like you to help realize this important mission.

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Honoring a true hero

Alex Sonnenberg enlisted in the U.S. Navy right out of high school due to a sense of patriotism and duty. He completed the demanding Explosive Ordnance Disposal ("EOD") technician training program early in his Navy career and was eventually hand selected to join the Naval Special Warfare Development Group ("DEVGRU") as the top 1% of EOD technicians. Upon completing DEVGRU's arduous selection process, Alex joined a DEVGRU squadron where he completed numerous overseas combat deployments with his brothers in arms.

Following DEVGRU and while still in the Navy working within EOD, Alex graduated from UCSD before leaving the service with the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and attending Wharton business school. After getting his MBA degree, Alex worked for SCF Partners before becoming the CEO of an oilfield services company.

Throughout his time, both in the Navy and in Houston, Alex exemplified what it meant to live a full life, and he was a treasured friend to the many whose lives he touched.

Program objectives

  • Pay forward Alex’s unwavering compassion for his military brothers and sisters, his authenticity, and his overall commitment to excellence.
  • Celebrate Alex’s memory, his zeal for life and the indelible impact he had on those who knew him.
  • Honor the years of service Alex Sonnenberg dedicated to our country through his elite military career.
  • Create a community of talented young executives connected to Houston through high-touch recruitment efforts, mentoring and elite networking.
  • Recruit unconventional MBA candidates to Rice Business and Houston.

Sonnenberg Donor Club

Donors to the scholarship will gain access to the Sonnenberg Donors Club and receive a commemorative Sonnenberg Scholars coin and exclusive invitations to Sonnenberg events.

Sonnenberg Coin


Upcoming Sonnenberg Donor Club Events

Spring 2024, details to follow

Donors

Thanks to those who have contributed so generously to the Sonnenberg scholarship. Donor listing as of December 2021:

Gold ($50,000-$100,000+)

  • Mike Appling
  • Anonymous, in memory of Kyle Milliken, KIA/Somalia 2017 American Hero
  • Annabel Florescu and Phoebe Massey
  • David and Claire de Roode
  • Kelley and Donnie Young
  • Alex’s SCF Partners family:
  • Maire and David Baldwin
  • Anthony DeLuca
  • The Virginia and L.E. Simmons Family Foundation
  • Andrew L. Waite
  • Theresa Eaton
  • David Patterson
  • Pete and Jane Stuart
  • Megan and Richard Gaut
  • Garrett Jackson

Silver ($10,000 - $49,999)

  • Mark Allen and Greg Allen
  • Sarah and Adam Brock
  • Andrea and JB Bryan
  • Katie and Will Derrick
  • Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Dupre
  • Steve Gibson
  • Hobby Family Foundation
  • Shelli and Steve Lindley
  • Mark C. McKinley, Merrymac McKinley Foundation
  • Gregory Patrinely
  • Nina and Michael Patterson
  • Edward Patton
  • Ted Patton, Hastings Equity Partners
  • Bradley L. Radoff
  • Radoff Family Foundation
  • Angie and Mike Schmidt
  • Michael W. Weekley
  • Robin and John Wombwell

Bronze ($1,000 - $9,999)

  • Bruce Cameron
  • Casey Crenshaw
  • Eleanor and Dan Gilbane
  • Jonathan and Amy Homeyer
  • Geoffrey Leach
  • Bob Loeb
  • Rowen and Scott Massey
  • The Prueher Family Fund

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Meet the Team