Questar Corp. boosts USU funds $12,808
Questar Corporation donated a $12,808 grant to Utah State University’s general scholarship fund Jan. 15.
For more than 30 years, USU students have been receiving scholarships through Questar’s education funding foundation.
Jan Bates, Questar Corporation director of community affairs, said, “By putting money back into the community, we are helping students that wouldn’t be able to go to school otherwise.”
Steve Chapman, Questar spokesperson, said, “Questar is the parent company of Questar Gas Co., a retail natural gas distribution company that provides services to residents in Logan and surrounding communities.”
Bates said Questar provides perpetual funding to various four-year universities in Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming. It also provides general scholarships to all two-year colleges in Utah.
“We are looking at next generation’s workforce. We have a good chunk of employees that have graduated from Utah State,” she said.
Spencer Fugal, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, received a $1,000 scholarship last year from Questar. He plans on staying at USU to pursue his master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
“It definitely helped a lot. It’s a great opportunity to have some outside help with your education, because sometimes you can’t do it all on your own,” he said.
Chapman said the donations help provide scholarships for students majoring in engineering, geophysical sciences, computer technology and business.
With Questar’s donation to USU, 35 percent will be used for capital building around campus, and 65 percent will be used for scholarships, Bates said.
Keith Rattie, Questar president and CEO, said, “This contribution to USU is made to encourage the continued success of higher education in northern Utah. Questar recognizes the challenges in education and is committed to improving opportunities for schools and students in the communities we serve.”
Bates said, “We look at this as a good business decision. We view giving money to schools as a good investment. This also provides perpetual funding that the university can depend on every year.”
Chapman said, “I think it’s a great concept to be able to provide and support something as important as education.”
–mmackay@cc.usu.edu