LAKELAND, Fla. – The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The funds will provide financial support for up to 50 high achieving students who have the goal of graduating with a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degree.
The grant will be administered through the Florida Poly scholarship committee with recipients selected from Duke Energy Service Areas based on academic merit, financial need and a required essay. The scholarships will be awarded for fall 2018 and may continue into spring 2019, with a range from $500 to $1,000 per student.
“We appreciate Duke Energy’s valuable support to Florida Poly,” said Ford Heacock, president and owner of Heacock Insurance and Florida Poly Foundation Board chair. “Duke Energy is a great corporate citizen that continues to help and enhance the opportunities our students receive as they prepare to make a significant impact on Florida’s economy.”
The Duke Energy Foundation recently awarded more than $1.56 million in grants to 46 Florida-based programs to emphasize the importance of workforce development and STEM. The grants focus on “K to Career” educational and workforce development initiatives, the environment and community impact.
“I’m proud to say our ‘K to Career’ grant cycle is the largest investment we make in the state each year,” said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida president. “It demonstrates our commitment to the future of our communities by preparing students to become leaders and enabling and empowering a skilled workforce to meet the needs in high-demand fields.”
The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, governed by a board of directors, responsible for creating community and industry investment to support the University and provide financial aid to students throughout their academic career.
For the most recent university news, visit Florida Poly News.
Scholarship applications will be available here.
About the Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of communities where its customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $33 million annually in charitable gifts.
The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career – particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – as well as early childhood literacy and workforce development. The foundation also supports environmental projects and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
Duke Energy employees and retirees actively contribute to their communities as volunteers and leaders with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations. Duke Energy is committed to building on its legacy of community service. For more information, visit http://www.duke-energy.com/foundation.
The Duke Energy Foundation is part of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK).
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is transforming its customers’ experience, modernizing its energy grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and communities it serves.
A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2018 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ 2018 “America’s Best Employers” list.
More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Assistant Director of Communications
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