The Gas Compressor Association continues to support OSU Institute of Technology’s Natural Gas Compression program with a $16,000 donation.

Roy Achemire, chair of the School of Energy Technologies, said the donation will be split with $8,000 designated for scholarships and the remaining $8,000 used to purchase training aids and equipment.

“With the dramatic growth in the program we need those training aids,” Achemire said.

Before the Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Compression Center was completed in 2013, the maximum capacity for the program was about 40 students. Now the program has over 80 students enrolled.

Kyle Smith is the GCA education committee liaison for OSUIT and presented the check to Achemire in January. Each year the committee evaluates programs offered by schools and universities and determines the amounts awarded.

“Being in the industry now and talking with people, I’ve seen that the quality of the OSUIT graduate is outstanding,” Smith said. “OSUIT has one of the largest programs of its kind and it’s more than doubled its student intake.”

The $8,000 dedicated to scholarships will allow the program to assist about six students, Achemire said.

“The donation from GCA is critical. It’s great to be able to provide scholarships. There’s always students in need,” he said.

Smith said OSUIT’s program is having a direct impact on the natural gas compression industry through its internship opportunities.

“It’s one of the best experiences and both sides benefit,” he said. “It helps the industry gauge how the program is doing, and students get that real-world experience and that chance to network with people in the industry.”