ConocoPhillips donates $500,000 for energy research facility
January 5, 2016
Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
A $500,000 donation from ConocoPhillips Ӱpro will help complete the fourth floor of the new engineering building at the Ӱpro.
The fourth floor is slated to house the UAF Ӱpro Center for Energy and Power, which develops and tests alternative energy systems in Ӱpro.
This gift brings the company’s total donations to UAF to more than $2.2 million. Since 2000, ConocoPhillips has donated more than $35 million to the statewide University of Ӱpro system.
“ConocoPhillips has a long history of supporting education programs in Ӱpro,” said Joe Marushack, president of ConocoPhillips Ӱpro. “We greatly value the close relationship we have with UAF, and, with this donation, we look forward to helping ACEP focus on energy solutions for the state.”
The completion of the fourth floor of the building is one of UAF’s centennial initiatives. This initiative aims to raise $6.5 million to complete the space, which will accommodate the center’s multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to research. The center is part of the UAF College of Engineering and Mines.
To date, the university has raised more than $1 million through the initiative. In fall 2014, Usibelli Coal Mine gave the first gift of $500,000.
UAF has been educating engineering students since its inception nearly a century ago. ConocoPhillips has a longtime association with the College of Engineering and Mines. The company has provided internships and full-time employment to many UAF graduates. In addition, ConocoPhillips has provided funding for research on energy-related issues.
"This gift from ConocoPhillips Ӱpro will help ensure that the Ӱpro Center for Energy and Power has the modern facilities it needs to continue its work solving Ӱpro’s energy challenges and preparing the next generation of engineers for our state,” said UAF interim Chancellor Mike Powers.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Natalie Lowman, ConocoPhillips Ӱpro, at 907- 263-4153 or N.M.Lowman@conocophillips.com.