Gas-Related Business Establishes Scholarship Fund at Penn College

Pennsylvania College of Technology's efforts to offer educational support for the commonwealth's growing natural gas industry are receiving a boost with a new scholarship fund.

PAGasDirectory.com, an online directory dedicated to connecting gas industry workers with businesses in Pennsylvania, has established the PAGasDirectory Scholarship Fund at Penn College. The fund is expected to provide two scholarship awards of $500 annually.

The scholarship fund will be open to first-year students ina number of majors that are pertinent to the industry: civil engineering technology (associate and bachelor's degrees), surveying technology, diesel technology, on-site power generation, electrical technology, electromechanical maintenance technology, electronics and computer engineering technology (associate and bachelor's degrees), forest technology, heavy construction equipment technology, information technology: network administration emphasis, welding technology, and welding and fabrication engineering technology.

Preference for the scholarship awards will be given to students who participated in a high school dual enrollment course at Penn College related to the natural gas industry.

Debra M. Miller, director of corporate relations at Penn College, said the college appreciates the support of PAGasDirectory, adding that she looks forward to continuing to build relationships between Penn College and companies involved in the Marcellus Shale gas industry.

"In addition to the noncredit courses being offered by Penn College through the Marcellus Shale Education & Training Center, Penn College has a number of degree majors that are beneficial to the gas industry," she noted.

Joe Barone, president of PAGasDirectory.com, said the funds were raised in June at a golf tournament sponsored by PAGasDirectory.com and Logue Industries Inc., of Montoursville.

"We are pleased to have partnered with Logue Industries in this inaugural golf tournament," Barone said, "and we appreciate the support of the natural gas industry and local Pennsylvania businesses."

Barone and Curt Parsons, district manager for Weatherford International Ltd., Fracturing Technologies Division, visited Penn College recently to present a check for the scholarship fund. Parsons toured several labs and met with faculty and college administrators to learn more about the programs offered at Penn College.

"It's a privilege to have the opportunity to work in the Northeast," Parsons said.

Penn College is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University, committed to applied technology education. With more than 6,500 students enrolled in bachelor-degree, associate-degree and certificate majors, Penn College has the second-highest enrollment in the Penn State system.

For more information about supporting Penn College and its students, visit online , e-mail or call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE 2 PC (866-448-3272).

For general information about the college, visit on the Web, e-mail or call toll-free 800-367-9222.