For the 15th year in a row, Pacific Power has awarded a grant to Oregon State University for engineering scholarships. To date, more than 100 students have received Pacific Power scholarships, which help future engineers obtain their degrees, especially in electrical and computer engineering.

“We believe in the power of education to create a lifetime of opportunity,” said Stefan Bird, president and CEO of Pacific Power, in an article about the company’s latest round of grants.

Eduardo Cotilla-Sanchez, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and associate head for graduate programs in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has seen how the scholarships provide benefits for his students.

He regularly takes his classes on field trips to learn about the power system equipment at Pacific Power facilities, where employees, including some Oregon State alumni, show students how the equipment operates.

“Our courses in power and energy systems provide a strong foundation to tackle problems that electrical and computer engineering graduates will encounter in the utilities industry,” Cotilla-Sanchez said. “Partners like Pacific Power are instrumental in translating the application of, for example, power system protection concepts, by facilitating co-curricular activities.”