CF Industries has provided a $20,000 full-ride scholarship to a female power engineering student at Medicine Hat College as a means of encouraging diversity in the field.
Julie Lesko, an MHC power engineering and technology student, is this year’s recipient.
Since 2013, CF Industries has donated the scholarship every two years to an “under-represented” power engineering student, with the goal of enhancing diversity in the field, according to Tonielle Pavlovic, community relations officer with MHC Foundation.
She says the company has partnered with the college since 1996, but CF upped its contribution in 2013 to start the scholarship.
The funds aren’t given based on any specific demographic criteria, but to people who are generally under-represented in the field at this time, Pavlovic said.
“Underrepresented, in this case with CF, is anybody who doesn’t typically already work in the field. Right now, power engineering is a predominantly male-driven field, so having a female recipient of the award, as Julie is, fits that criteria nicely,” she said.
The scholarship is a “true full ride,” including tuition, student fees, exam fees, books and dental coverage, said Pavlovic.
“The whole gamut – you name it, this scholarship includes it,” she said. “It’s really to ensure the recipient doesn’t really have any financial barriers to going to school.”
Lesko was unavailable for comment on her scholarship by press time.
In a news release, CF Industries production manager Martin Liddle said supporting MHC students is important to the company, because 75 per cent of its 80 power engineers are alumni.
“Our employees say it’s a great place to study and we knew there was more we can do to promote diversity in the industry, and that’s why we created the scholarship,” said Liddle.
Dennis Beaudoin, dean of trades and technology at MHC, said in the release that CF’s partnership with the college goes beyond donating money and hiring graduates.
“Not only is CF a champion for taking on students at their plant for steam time, they also offer them plant tours and donate used equipment to our program,” said Beaudoin.
“We are proud of our partnership with CF and are grateful for their ongoing commitment to education.”
