The Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering and Sciences at WVU Tech has received a $20,000 grant from CONSOL Energy Inc.
“We have had a long-standing relationship with WVU Tech and have found the educational program offered there does a good job of preparing students for careers in the mining industry,” said CONSOL Energy Central Appalachia Operations Vice President Jack Richardson.
“The industry evolves and changes as new and innovative technologies emerge and we pride ourselves in begin on the cutting edge of these new technologies,” Richardson continued. “It is important to us to have well-qualified employees able to meet the challenges we face as an industry and we have always found the caliber of students we have worked with through WVU Tech to be exemplary.”
CONSOL Energy routinely employs WVU Tech students in its summer intern program and several have also been hired as full-time employees.
“This unsolicited donation from CONSOL Energy is a testament for the quality of engineers, scientists and technologists that graduate from Tech and are typically hired by companies like CONSOL Energy,” stated Dr. Faris Malhas, Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences.
“In addition, a number of research projects in our college are focused on the critical need of such industries for environmentally safe mining operations. We are proud of our historical relationship with CONSOL Energy and other energy companies in the state as we continue to collaborate with them in providing the caliber and type of engineers they look for and helping them develop new technologies for their industry.”
CONSOL Energy Inc., a high-Btu bituminous coal and natural gas company, is a member of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Equity Index and the Fortune 500. At year-end 2009, it had 11 bituminous coal mining complexes in six states and reports proven and probable coal reserves of 4.5 billion tons. It is also a majority owner of CNX Gas Corporation, a leading Appalachian gas producer, with proved reserves of over 1.9 trillion cubic feet. Additional information about CONSOL Energy can be found at its web site: www.consolenergy.com.