Grant from Pacific Power Foundation helps Oregon Tech Foundation reach new Milestone of a Half Million Dollars in Scholarship Funds
Grant will be used to improve access and affordability for First-Generation Engineers
The Pacific Power Foundation (PPF) responded this week to the challenge of college affordability with a scholarship-directed grant of $5,000 to the Oregon Tech Foundation (OTF). The funds were presented to the OTF July 14th to support two scholarships to help first-generation undergraduate engineering students manage college costs. The grant from the PPF also pushed the Oregon Tech Foundation over the $500,000 mark in annual scholarships that increase affordability and retention for students at the university.
"Pacific Power is an avid supporter of Oregon Tech and the education it provides," said Todd Andres, Regional Business Manager for Pacific Power in Klamath Falls. "We have teamed up with the university on many different projects and are excited to enhance that relationship by helping engineering students achieve their college dreams." Andres presented Oregon Tech President Chris Maples with the check on Tuesday morning.
"We appreciate Pacific Power Foundation's investment in the success of our students, and in our Klamath Falls community," said President Maples. "It's an honor to accept this check on behalf of the first-generation engineering students that these funds will help. Being the first person in a family to attend college can be challenging in many regards, especially when it comes to affordability. These scholarships will not only open doors for today's generation of students to the possibility of college, but also to future generations in their families who will now be a part of a college-going culture."
The Pacific Power Foundation was created in 1988 by PacifiCorp, an electric utility serving 1.7 million customers in six Western states, as Pacific Power (in Oregon, Washington and California) and Rocky Mountain Power (in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho). Their mission is to support the growth and vitality of their communities by allocating grants that best serve community interests in the areas they serve. Grants generally range between $2,000 and $5,000. Since its founding, the PPF has awarded more than $56.5 million to nonprofit organizations, of which more than $1.64 million was awarded in last year.
To learn more about how you can help support students at Oregon Tech and methods for making a charitable contribution, contact Tracy Ricketts, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at 541-885-1118 or Tracy.Ricketts@oit.edu.