Students Receive Scholarships to Pursue Opportunities In Energy Sector

NOTE: A list of this year's scholarship winners and their schools follows this release.

More Nova Scotia students are receiving support for post-secondary education to help them tap into career opportunities in the province’s energy sector.

Sixteen post-secondary students and one graduate student have earned the Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship and the Energy Innovation Grant.

“Receiving the Pengrowth-Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship has helped give me the courage and confidence that I have what it takes to be an engineer,” said Kunal Kumar, a 2018 scholarship recipient.

The scholarship is offered to Nova Scotia high school students pursuing post-secondary studies in an energy-related field.

Eight young Nova Scotians enrolled in university programs will receive a renewable scholarship of $2,500 per year for four years. Eight other students enrolled in trades and technology programs at the Nova Scotia Community College will receive a one-time scholarship of $2,500.

“Promising young Nova Scotians want to be part of a bright energy future,” said Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette. “We’re supporting talented students as they build rewarding careers in the province that will contribute to our economic growth.”

Hammonds Plains resident Justin Nagle, a master's student in applied science at Saint Mary's University, is this year's recipient of the $10,000 Energy Innovation Grant, awarded over two years. Mr. Nagle’s graduate project will develop a digital model of the Shelburne Delta, a subsea delta that is an area of interest in offshore Nova Scotia.

Pengrowth Energy Corporation, Pengrowth Management Limited, and the Government of Nova Scotia have together invested more than $4.8 million to give students the opportunity to pursue their passions in the energy sector. Since 2005, about 265 scholarships have been awarded.

Scholarship and grant recipients are chosen based on academic standing, community involvement and interest in the Nova Scotia energy industry. Scholarship recipients are enrolled at the Nova Scotia Community College and in recognized programs at universities across Canada.

Pengrowth Energy Corporation is an intermediate Canadian oil and natural gas producer, located in Calgary, Alberta.

Following is a list of the 2018 scholarship recipients including their high school, program and chosen institution:

University

• Kunal Kumar, Citadel High School, bachelor of engineering, Dalhousie University
• Dara MacEachen, Inverness Education Centre/Academy, bachelor of science, Saint Mary’s University
• Chantelle MacBurnie, Charles P. Allen High School, Halifax Regional Municipality, bachelor of engineering, Acadia University
• Whitney Minick, New Germany Rural High School, environmental science, Acadia University
• Jade Farr, Riverview High School, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, bachelor of engineering, Dalhousie University
• Oliver Cadrain, West Kings District High School, Kings Co., bachelor of engineering, McGill University
• Tyler Green, Northumberland Regional High School, Pictou Co., bachelor of sustainable design engineering, University of Prince Edward Island
• Claire Maxwell, Memorial High School, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, bachelor of arts and science in environment, Cape Breton University

Nova Scotia Community College:

• Christopher Benoit, École Beau-Port, Richmond Co., utility line work (construction and maintenance)
• Jacob Willigar, Parrsboro Regional High School, utility line work (construction and maintenance)
• Caleb Hearn, Richmond Education Centre/Academy, power engineering technology
• Riley MacNeil, Rankin School of the Narrows, Victoria Co., 4th class power engineering
• Jonathan Weatherbee, Avon View High School, Hants Co., electrical construction and industrial
• Kyla Delorey, East Antigonish Education Centre/Academy, electrical construction and industrial
• Hailee Naugler, Park View Education Centre, Lunenburg Co., electrical construction and industrial
• Jacob van Dyk, North Queens Community Centre, Queens Co., welding

Energy Innovation Grant Winner:

• Justin Nagle, bachelor of science in geology (2018), master of applied science (geology), Saint Mary’s University