Educational Initiatives
The Virginia Oil and Gas Association is giving back to Southwest Virginia by endowing a scholarship at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
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Contributions gifts from private individuals as well as local gas producers doing business in Southwest Virginia were given to endow the scholarship.
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The generous gift will allow the awarding of scholarships to worthy and deserving students at UVa-Wise. Preference will be given to applicants who are employed by the oil and gas industry or dependents of those employed by the industry.
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“We wanted to give back to the people of Southwest Virginia,” VOGA member Lawton Mullins said. “Endowing a scholarship for deserving UVa-Wise students whose families work hard to meet Virginia’s energy needs seemed appropriate.”
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Donations to establish the scholarship came from Mullins, Appalachian Energy, CONSOL Energy’s CNX Gas Virginia Operations, EQT, Range Resources, and others.
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Formed in 1977, the Virginia Oil and Gas Association is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of companies, partnerships, individuals, or other entities having an interest in the oil and gas industry and who are primarily engaged in the exploration, production, development, transportation, and distribution of natural gas and oil in Virginia. Its purpose is to promote the Virginia natural gas and oil industry through the education of its members and the general public.
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Past Recipients
2013 – Koen W. Elswick
2014 – Shyla Casey J. Mullins
2015 – Koen W. Elswick
2016 – Thomas H. Young
2017 – Anna G. Smith
2018 – Dillen C. Lawson
2019 – Jaycee M. Baker
2020 – Katie E. Pritchett
2021 – Lucas C. Messer
2022 – Morgan H. Blevins
2023 – Zachary M. Hammonds
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