DURANGO, Colo. – High school seniors interested in pursuing careers in the rural electric industry are eligible for one of two scholarships offered by La Plata Electric Association: the LPEA Fort Lewis College Scholarship (four-year) and LPEA/John Voelker Memorial Scholarship (two-year). Deadline for application is Mar. 3, 2008.

LPEA scholarship applications, plus criteria for two additional affiliated rural electric scholarships offered by Tri-State Generation & Transmission and Basin Electric are available at www.lpea.coop.

 “Rural electric cooperatives require and employ a wide range of disciplines,” said Greg Munro, LPEA CEO. “Everything from engineering and computer science, to marketing and communications, to accounting and business management, to electronic technicians and engine mechanics. Students wishing to pursue any career that can be found at a rural electric cooperative should apply for the scholarships.”

Rural electric cooperatives are known nationally to provide stable employment, livable wages and solid benefit packages. LPEA is no exception and, with more than 100 employees, exists as one of the more significant employers in the region. The cooperative endeavors to train local young people for positions they may ultimately secure at LPEA.

“But we’re willing to share,” assured Munro. “Training future professionals for our industry – no matter the electric cooperative with which they find employment, helps the entire system. There’s more to ‘the grid’ than just electricity.”

Specifically, LPEA will award one, four-year scholarship for a student attending Fort Lewis College (FLC), beginning in the 2008-2009 academic year. The scholarship recipient will receive a full scholarship (tuition, books and fees), given that the student maintains minimum qualifications.

“Students should note with the Fort Lewis scholarship, if you are an engineering major, after acquiring the prerequisite credits at FLC and you transfer to a college in Colorado to finish the engineering degree, the FLC scholarship follows,” said Jeannie Bennett, LPEA public relations coordinator, who oversees the scholarship program.

The La Plata Electric/John Voelker Memorial Scholarship recognizes students attending an accredited vocational school, technical school or junior college. This two-year scholarship covers fees, books, tools and supplies at an amount not to exceed $3,000 per year.

Scholarship recipients will be encouraged to attend the Colorado Rural Electric Association Summer Leadership Camp for one week during summer 2008, and LPEA will cover all expenses. They will also be required to attend the LPEA Annual Meeting, this year scheduled for Sept. 13, as well as attend a regularly scheduled LPEA board meeting to meet with and personally thank the directors.

Applicants must be seniors graduating from high schools within LPEA’s service territory (La Plata and Archuleta Counties), or may be home school graduates.

In 2007, scholarship recipients were Pagosa Springs High School graduate Shanti Johnson, the LPEA/Fort Lewis College Scholarship; Ignacio High School graduate Anthony Salvo, LPEA/John Voelker Memorial Scholarship; Durango High School graduate Zackary McGill, $1,000 Basin Electric Power Cooperative Scholarship; Bayfield High School graduate Danika Friedley, and Durango High School graduate Catherine “Ryne” Olson, $500 scholarships from Tri-State Generation & Transmission. 

Former scholarship recipients currently employed at LPEA include, Pagosa High School graduates Jake Wills, hired as an LPEA Staff Engineer following graduation from Colorado State University (CSU) in 2004, and Mindy Farrow Potter, coming to LPEA as an Engineering IT Specialist following her 1997 FLC graduation with a degree in computer science. Also, Dan Harms, a Durango High School graduate, FLC scholarship recipient and 1994 CSU graduate, is a Systems Engineer with LPEA.

For further information, visit www.lpea.coop or contact Bennett at 970.382.3505, or jbennett@lpea.coop.

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