The Exxon Education Foundation, which donates $3 for every $1 Exxon employees and retirees contribute to colleges and universities, recently presented Cornell University with a check for $270,267.

The presentation was made to Cornell President Hunter Rawlings by Sam J. Sorbello, manager of employee relations for Exxon Ventures CIS of Houston. Sorbello is a 1977 graduate of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations; he received his MBA from the Johnson School in 1979.

"We thank Exxon Foundation for its generous support of Cornell University which will greatly strengthen the university's tradition of discovery and scholarship," Rawlings said. "It is noteworthy that Exxon encourages the philanthropic interests of its employees by matching their gifts so generously."

Among the Cornell alumni who contributed to the Exxon gift-matching program this year were Cornell Trustee Carol C. Tatkon, a financial officer for the company; Elliott R. Cattarulla, retired president of the Exxon Education Foundation; and Robert A. Ganz, a strategic planner.

The Exxon Educational Foundation will provide matching grant payments of $12.6 million this year. Cornell ranks fifth among colleges and universities in matching gifts and grants received. The matching-grant program encourages individuals to support higher education by directing funds to those colleges and universities that have served Exxon employees and retirees.