CHESAPEAKE ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT TO MARSHALL

 Huntington, W.Va. - Chesapeake Energy Corporation announced on February 4, 2008 the donation of $150,000 in scholarships to Marshall University. The funds will support student education in business and engineering. The five-year program, which was announced at Marshall Day at the Capitol, highlights Chesapeake’s commitment to creating private-public partnerships to support education. While $75,000 will go directly to Marshall University, the remaining $75,000 will be directed to a nonprofit organization, the Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation (ALEF), for students studying civil engineering at Marshall. 

“This is a unique opportunity for three organizations to work together for a common goal: to create a stronger workforce with a commitment to leadership and community,” Dr. Stephen J.  Kopp, president of Marshall University, said. “Chesapeake Energy’s confidence and investment in Marshall University is greatly appreciated.” 

Over the next five years, the $150,000 in scholarship support will fund at least three scholarships in the College of Information Technology and Engineering (CITE) and the Lewis College of Business annually.  

“This partnership allows Chesapeake Energy to invest in West Virginia’s future,” Scott Rotruck, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, said. “More importantly, we’re helping shape future leaders.” 

ALEF is a nonprofit organization funded by foundations and companies. It supports and enables young men and women from Appalachia to pursue higher education through scholarship and leadership curriculum. The program includes an emphasis toward the preparation required to be the leaders of the next decade.  The concept of operations for ALEF is to partner with established academic institutions across Appalachia to provide the technical skills necessary as the basis for credible leadership. 

"The generous support provided by Chesapeake Energy is paramount in achieving our goals to develop the next greatest generation of West Virginia leaders" Pamela Scaggs, ALEF’s resource development director. 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is the largest independent producer and third-largest overall producer of natural gas in the United States.  Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the company’s operations are focused on exploratory and developmental drilling and corporate and property acquisitions in the Mid-Continent, Fort Worth Barnett Shale, Fayetteville Shale, Permian Basin, Delaware Basin, South Texas, Texas Gulf Coast, Ark-La-Tex and Appalachian Basin regions of the United States.