Last Thursday (11/14) was an exciting day for Medicine Hat College (MHC) student Julie Lesko as she was presented with a full-ride scholarship from CF Industries worth $20,000.
Lesko, a power engineering technology student, expressed her sincere gratitude to CF Industries for investing in her career and giving her the opportunity to pursue her goals without any added financial stress.
She became the fourth beneficiary to receive the scholarship from CF Industries. The local nitrogen manufacturing complex began the initiative back in 2013 and has continued to give one under-represented power engineering student a full-ride scholarship every two years, with the intention of encouraging diversity.
"At CF Industries, we need the best power engineers to run our plant and most of our power engineers come from Medicine Hat College. Of the 80 power engineers employed at CF, 75% have graduated from the program at MHC" says Martin Liddle, production manager at CF Industries. "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. We wish Julie a long and successful career, and aim to encourage others to pursue power engineering."
Dennis Beaudoin, dean of trades and technology, appreciates the company's continued support of the power engineering program at MHC. "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," explains Beaudoin. "We are proud of our partnership with CF and are grateful for their ongoing commitment to education."
Attendees of the cheque presentation ceremony on Nov. 14 included representatives from CF Industries and Medicine Hat College, as well as Lesko and members of her family who showed their support. MHC president and CEO, Kevin Shufflebotham, called the event an opportunity to celebrate a partnership, celebrate a learner, and celebrate collaboration in our community.
For more information on the power engineering program or the technology and trades division, visit www.mhc.ab.ca.
Photo caption [left to right]: Kevin Shufflebotham, MHC president and CEO; Julie Lesko, power engineering technology student and scholarship recipient; Martin Liddle, production manager at CF Industries; CF Industries
