Petro Tech Students Honored

It was a day for prideful parents and the students in their lives to take stock of accomplishments and know they are “involved in an industry that can help change our world.”

Those were the words of Stacey Brodak, manager, community and media relations for Noble Energy, as she spoke to the young men who attended the Noble Energy Scholarship Recipients Recognition Luncheon on Oct. 16 at West Virginia Northern Community College’s Wheeling campus.

Noble funded student scholarships and was instrumental in the creation of the first Petroleum Technology program in West Virginia, training students for jobs in the oil and gas industry. Petroleum Technology classes are offered at WVNCC and at Pierpont Community and Technical College in Fairmont. A total of 16 West Virginia students received scholarships and 11 of them attended the event, along with parents and guests.

Petroleum Technology scholarship students from Northern attending included Joseph Aston of Glen Easton; Kenneth Becker, Wheeling; Ricky Yoho, New Martinsville; and Jonathon Flight, Elm Grove section of Wheeling. Not able to attend were Sean Walker and Trevor Worley.

Pierpont students attending included Logan Kuhn, Littleton; Justin O’Dell, Worthington; Garison Erwin, Leon; Trevor Matko, Philippi; Ben Pott, Fairmont; Ty Noss, Clarksburg; and Daren Meffe, Fairmont. Not able to attend from Pierpont were Joseph Anglin, Zachary Haddix and Devin Koval.

Offering greetings to the students and their guests was Dr. Vicki L. Riley, president of WVNCC; and Leo Gonot, recruitment coordinator for petroleum programs for the West Virginia Council for Community and Technical College Education.

Both Riley and Gonot pointed out the event was made possible by Noble Energy, and they extended their thanks to the company for its commitment to the Petroleum Technology programs. Gonot, who coordinated the luncheon, cited Noble as “a strategic partner providing a foundation for the program in the state.” He praised the company’s continuing efforts to provide guest lecturers in the classroom and internships for the students.

Brodak pointed out that Noble is “very committed to this program for the long term. We have confidence in this industry for the future” and the firm believes “the industry will be here for a long time.” Sonny Busch, production specialist for Noble Energy, also spoke to the students, urging them to “stay with the program” to a successful conclusion. He pointed out Noble itself has hired four graduates from the program.

Also in attendance at the luncheon in support of the students were administrators and faculty members from both Northern and Pierpont who are directly involved in implementation of Petroleum Technology programs at their institutions.

West Virginia Northern’s Culinary Arts department chefs and students provided the meal.

10/19/15