|
 |  | | << Back to Wellhead | 
| OU honors OERB for scholarship program March 2010 | |
| By: Jennifer Billings, OERB Communications Director The University of Oklahoma has added the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board to its exclusive Seed Sower Society.
OU created the society in 2000 to honor donors whose gifts to the University total $1 million or more. To date, the OERB has contributed $1,254,065 in energy scholarships to students at OU. Including the OERB, there are 157 members in the Seed Sower Society.
The OERB began its scholarship program in 2006. Of the million plus dollars that have gone to OU students, more than $300,000 has benefitted scholars in the Energy Management program in the Price College of Business. More than $750,000 has helped students in Petroleum Engineering, Geology and Geophysics fields in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.
“You make a huge difference in the College of Business. We are very grateful for your commitment to our students. Thank you,” said Ken Evans, Dean of the Price College of Business.
“We thank OERB,” said Larry Grillot, Dean of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy. “We thank industry in general for their support, for everything that you do for education and for maintaining what I would call the heritage of energy in Oklahoma.”
Minding the Gap
It was 2005 when then-OERB director Mike Terry approached board member Ronnie Irani searching for new ideas to expand the organization’s education programs. Irani was serving on the Scholastic Outreach Committee. He was also on the boards of the Mewbourne School of Petroleum & Geological Engineering and the Sarkeys Energy Center, both at OU. He had a passion for education and Terry knew he had ideas mulling around in his head.
“I remember the day when Ronnie was sitting in my office talking about the OU energy program and the fact that OERB could have a tremendous input in helping students,” said Terry, “And, of course, our whole emphasis was trying to keep students educated and in our state.”
Irani knew the OERB needed some kind of program to fill the gap between OERB’s successful grade school curricula and its Petro Pro program where industry volunteers give in-class presentations. At that time, the OERB was not targeting college age students who could be vital to the state and the industry.
“OERB had such a good effort at the school level and also at the industry level,” said Irani. “What was missing was in-between. Once students are through with high school, they either go to college or the workforce. So, let’s grab them both for our industry.”
From that, the OERB created its college scholarship program at OU, Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa.
Irani also wanted to reach students who would not go to college, but perhaps seek training at a technical school. So, he helped the OERB establish its PetroTech program at Francis Tuttle Technology Center. PetroTech offers certified training for key entry-level positions in the industry.
Most importantly, both programs provide students networking and internship opportunities. Irani knew this would be an important element to the programs if they were to have any chance of keeping the students in Oklahoma once they graduated.
“We wanted to provide significant support to as many students as possible who were pursuing a career in the energy industry,” said Irani “By helping these students, we are helping the Oklahoma oil and natural gas industry increase its workforce.”
Fueling the Future
Each year, an average of $300,000 is given to students at the three major universities. Since 2006, the OERB has awarded nearly $1.7 million to students statewide, all generously funded by Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners.
“Through the OERB scholarship program, we are helping students develop successful, rewarding careers right here in Oklahoma and we are helping the industry and this nation increase the domestic energy supply,” said Irani.
The OERB education mission is far from complete, according to Irani. He and the OERB education department are working together to develop new relationships with other universities and colleges in the state in an effort to assist in the development of new energy curricula and programs.
Irani also hopes new high-tech, interactive tools will soon be available through the OERB for grade school teachers who use the organization’s curricula. He envisions things such as a computer game that teaches students how to explore for oil and natural gas, and creating a statewide on-line network of schools using OERB material so they can better share ideas.
“The OERB has been fantastic for the state,” said Irani. “We have a connection from kindergarten all the way through the industry.”
|
| | | << Back to Wellhead |
|
|
 AD
|
| Issues |
|
|
| Topic |
|
|
|
|
|
