The Northwestern State University Foundation received a gift from Chesapeake Energy through an agreement to fund student scholarships. Jeff Holliday, Chesapeake public affairs manager, presented a check to the Foundation during Thursday evening’s NSU volleyball game. The gift will enable five Northwestern students to receive scholarships in the fall and spring semesters. Student must be a sophomore or junior with a grade point average of at least 2.75 to be eligible for the Chesapeake Energy Scholarship.

“At Chesapeake, we are proud of our investments in higher education since they help improve the competitiveness of our future workforce,” said Paul Pratt, Chesapeake’s director of Corporate Development. “Just as the development of natural gas fuels our Louisiana economy, our Chesapeake scholarship awards play a significant role in fueling a brighter future for the next generation of our workforce. Our mission is for the vast benefits of the Haynesville Shale to touch as many people as possible in the region.”

Since beginning operations in the Haynesville Shale in 2008, Chesapeake has partnered with the Northwestern State University Foundation to provide scholarships for students demonstrating academic promise, personal character, financial need and community involvement. The scholarships will alleviate a portion of the financial obligations faced by the recipients, allowing them to more fully focus on achieving graduation.

Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Chesapeake Energy is one of the largest producers of natural gas in the nation and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S. The company is active in the Haynesville Shale of east Texas and northwestern Louisiana.