CompressorTechTwo - 2010 (Sample)

Current students participating in the OSUIT’s Natural Gas Compression program hold a replica
of the US$150,000 check presented to the university by the Gas Processors Suppliers
Association and the family of F.M. “Pete” Bartlett on Dec. 2, 2009.

SCHOLARSHIP DONATION FOR GAS COMPRESSION PROGRAM
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
Receives US$150,OOO Endowment

The Natural Gas Compression Program at the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology is the largest program on that school’s campus and boasts a 100% employment rate for those who successfully complete the training. In December 2009, the opportunity for even more students to participate emerged as the school received a US$150,000 check that will fund an endowment to provide scholarships to students enrolled in the Natural Gas Compression Program.

OSUIT was formerly known as OSU-Okmulgee (Oklahoma) and offers programs leading to Associate in Applied Science degrees, Associate in Science transfer degrees and Bachelor of Technology degrees. The program is recognized around the world for the quality of its hands-on technical education, current equipment and strong partnerships with the industries that benefit from the skills its graduates offer.

The benefactors said they expected the endowment to provide scholarships for many years for students who will report to work as qualified, trained technicians for the midstream industry.

Funds for the gift originated from two sources. The Gas Processors Suppliers Association (GPSA) accounted for one-half of the funds. The balance was contributed by the Pat and Pete Bartlett family, who conceived the idea of establishing such an endowment. Both the Bartlett family and the GPSA are based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A., and each has a long association with the natural gas industry.

The GPSA is a vendor-based organization related to the Gas Processors Association (GPA), which is the nonprofit trade association for the natural gas industry that is headquartered in Tulsa. GPA members produce, process, gather, transport and market natural gas and natural gas liquids, and the GPSA, which was founded in 1928, has grown to a membership of about 350 companies engaged in meeting the supply and service needs of the natural gas and gas processing industry. This contribution is one of many to the OSUIT gas compression program by the GPA and GPSA and its member companies.

“We’ve witnessed firsthand, the
success of this program providing
valuable employees to our industry,”
said Harvey Hensley of ENGlobal
Engineering and GPSA president.
“Our education committee sees this
as a prudent investment in an out-
standing educational facility, today’s
youth and the future of our natural
gas industry.”
F.M. “Pete” Bartlett (1920-1986), an
OSU alumnus, was a prominent engi-
neer, civic leader and philanthropist.
The Bartlett Center on the Stillwater,
Oklahoma, campus is named in honor
of the family. Gary Bartlett continues
the family’s tradition in the business
as president of the Tulsa-based
Bartlett Equipment Co., which his fa-
ther founded in 1951. Bartlett
Equipment Co. represents a wide
range of manufacturers whose prod-
ucts are typically used in the utility,
natural gas, petrochemical and proc-
ess industries throughout Oklahoma
and the Texas panhandle region.

Gary Bartlett brought the idea of the endowment to the board of the Gas Processors Suppliers Association and suggested that the group consider participating in the project. The board agreed to consider the idea at its June 2009 meeting and finalized its participation at its October gathering.

“The Bartlett family has a wonderful
history of supporting Oklahoma State
University and its students,” said
Bartlett. “My father’s legacy has al-
ways been about giving back to the
school and this industry … On behalf
of my mother and the rest of our fam-
ily, it is our pleasure to participate in
this contribution.”
Receiving the check were OSUIT
President Dr. Robert Klabenes and the
program’s Division Chair, Steve
Doede. In their comments, they ex-
plained that the Natural Gas
Compression Program graduates 30
students each year from the two-year
program with Associate in Applied
Science degrees.

Doede said that while compression courses have been offered for nearly 20 years, the last nine years have seen it elevated to its current level as a stand-alone program.

“This is a win-win relationship for everyone,” said Mark Sutton, who is GPA’s executive director. “When one of our affiliated chapters disbanded, but had some remaining funds, GPSA’s education committee was quick to suggest they go to this OSU program. The generous match from the Bartlett family made it even more significant.” ;