The Retort

Walmart Makes Scholarship Donation at MSU Billings

October 23rd, 2009 by MSU Billings News Services For The Retort

In case you missed the news, Montana college students interested in pursuing careers in renewable or “green” energy fields got a boost Wednesday when Walmart donated $30,000 for scholarships.

Joshua Phair, senior manager and public affairs and government relations manager for Walmart’s Rocky Mountain Region in Denver, presented Governor Brian Schweitzer with the $30,000 check during a short press conference at Montana State University Billings. The money will be used to fund fifteen Governor’s Best and Brightest Green Energy Scholarships that will be available at each campus of the Montana University System.

Phair said funding the scholarships makes good business sense and outreach sense for Walmart.

“Developing a skilled green workforce is critical for our business, for our suppliers and - most importantly - for our customers,” he said.

Schweitzer, who has implemented strong energy-conservation measures for state agencies and has endorsed green energy technology and skills, said the donation fits well with his goals.

“This donation will help fifteen more Montana students achieve the dream of a college education,” Schweitzer said. “The clean and green energy sector is a booming industry and this is a win-win for students and businesses.”

The governor added that Walmart “recognizes that there needs to be investments” in clean and green energy technology and training so that “students in Montana will learn new skills for the future.”

Each campus in the Montana University System will get one Governor’s Best and Brightest Green Energy Scholarship. They are intended for students studying in a green energy field and will be awarded for $1,000 a year for two years.

Dan Villa, the governor’s education policy advisor, said the scholarship dollars could be available for distribution in the next several weeks though the Montana Guaranteed Student Loan program.