As laid out in our Guiding Principles, MSC member companies “strive to attract and retain a talented and engaged local workforce.” There are countless examples of how MSC member companies are working collaboratively to ensure our workforce is trained and ready for careers in the shale industry. And last week, MSC member Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation made a critical investment, in partnership with Lackawanna College, to advance this shared goal.
This from the announcement’s press release:
“Lackawanna College saw an opportunity a few years ago and took a leap into education in support of the oil and natural gas industry,” explained Mark Volk, President of Lackawanna College. “Our partnership with Cabot enhances tremendously the ability of the School of Petroleum & Natural Gas to provide a world-class education designed to prepare a ready workforce that fits the needs of the multiple companies across the industry. Beyond just an investment in Lackawanna College, through this collaborative effort Cabot is making an investment in our students and our community.”
Phil Stalnaker, Vice President of the North Region for Cabot, expressed the company’s interest in becoming invested in the program at the School of Petroleum & Natural Gas. “Cabot is pleased to announce this historic gift to Lackawanna College, a leading institution that has fully embraced the opportunity to train its students locally to become members of the global natural gas industry,” he explained. “This opportunity will ensure that qualified, hardworking individuals can get a solid education and be prepared for employment in this robust, expanding industry.”
And here are other news items on this important announcement:
- “Gas driller gives $2.5M to Lackawanna College”: A gas driller is giving $2.5 million to Lackawanna College in Scranton. The gift by Cabot Oil & Gas will be used to fund the college’s School of Petroleum & Natural Gas in New Milford. Lackawanna College started the program in 2009 in response to the boom in Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling. Some 90 percent of the school’s graduates get jobs in the field. Lackawanna will put $1 million into an endowment for student scholarships, and the rest will be used equipment, training, staff and faculty development and other needs. It’s the largest private donation in the history of the two-year college. (Associated Press, 4/14/14)
- “Cabot Oil & Gas gives $2.5M to Pa. college”: Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., one of the state’s most prolific Marcellus Shale natural gas producers, is giving $2.5 million to Lackawanna College in Scranton to boost its School of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The gift is the largest single private donation in the history of the two-year college. … The donation will create a $1 million endowment to support scholarships and the school’s ongoing needs. An additional $1.5 million will be used for equipment, training, staff and faculty development, and student interactive experiences and internships. The school currently offers associate degrees in petroleum and natural gas technology and natural gas compression technology. The offerings will be expanded this fall to include petroleum and natural gas measurement and petroleum and natural gas business administration degrees. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/12/14)
- “Cabot Donates $2.5 Million To Lackawanna College”: Lackawanna College received a gift of $2.5 million on Friday from Cabot Oil and Gas to help teach students interested in working in the natural gas industry. The money will go toward the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas located at the college’s campus in New Milford. The school was established in 2009 when they started drilling in the Marcellus Shale region. The current job placement rate for graduating students in this field is 90 percent. College officials said it’s the largest single private donation in the history of Lackawanna College. (WNEP-TV, 4/11/14)
- “Cabot donates $2.5 million to Lackawanna College; largest ever by the driller”: The $2.5 million gift from Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. will boost the college’s $3 million endowment to $4 million. The other $1.5 million will be used for equipment, training, faculty and staff, student curriculum and internships in the college’s School of Petroleum & Natural Gas. Since the school’s start in 2009, it has grown to include 140 students projected for fall 2014, said the school’s executive director, Richard Marquardt. … Plans are to expand the school to serve 300 students, Marquardt said. … The school offers summer internship opportunities at Cabot, Linde Corp. and Williams, he said. Graduating students have a 90 percent placement rate in the industry. … Cabot will be here for decades, said Phil Stalnaker, Cabot’s vice president of operations for its north region. “We are part of the community,” he said. “The nice thing about hiring locals is they’re already part of the community.” (Scranton Times-Tribune, 4/12/14)
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