GRANVILLE — The Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program announced Henry Durham, of Eaton, received a $1,000 scholarship to pursue a career in the oil and natural gas industry. Durham is working toward a structural pipeline welding degree from the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology.
“Upon graduating from Hobart, I plan to get a job welding Ohio’s pipelines,” said Durham. “This has been a goal of mine for a long time.”
This year, OOGEEP has awarded another 50 scholarships to students pursuing careers in Ohio’s oil and gas industry. To date, the OOGEEP’s scholarship program has funded over $350,000 in scholarships to students attending 31 different colleges, universities and trade or technical schools pursuing 39 different career degrees or certificates.
“As Ohio’s crude oil and natural gas industry moves toward advancing our state, nation and the world with reliable and affordable energy, these students will be at the forefront of this activity,” said Frank Gonzalez, Scholarship Committee Chair, and GonzOil, Inc. “We are encouraged by their determination, leadership and commitment as they chart their career goals within our industry.”
“Ohio’s oil and natural gas producers are committed to seeking out and assisting the next generation of energy industry leadership in our state,” said Rhonda Reda, OOGEEP Executive Director. “Our scholarship recipients represent some of our state’s best and brightest students. We are excited to play a role in their educational journey.”
The scholarships are made possible by contributions from Ohio’s oil and natural gas producers, and funded through OOGEEP’s 501(c)(3) foundation. Each scholarship is renewal for up to four years. Producers and affiliated companies interested in supporting the industry’s scholarship efforts are encouraged to contact OOGEEP to learn how to make a tax-deductible donation.
OOGEEP works with over 70 Ohio colleges, universities, and career and technical schools that offer training for the 75 different careers serving the crude oil and natural gas industry.
