PG&E Awards 10 Students $30,000 Annual Scholarships To Complete Their Undergraduate Studies

SAN FRANCISCO, May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced that 10 students in its northern and central California service area have been awarded full-ride scholarships of up to $30,000 per year to complete their college degrees. The awards are part of PG&E's $1 million Bright Minds Scholarship Program, which helps cover higher education expenses for selected high school seniors, community college and "non-traditional" students.

The 10 students were among more than 8,000 applicants. More than 90 program finalists will receive $2,500 towards their college costs.

"Enabling talented, driven, civic-minded students to realize their dreams of higher education is one of the most powerfully positive ways PG&E can give back to our communities," said Pacific Gas and Electric Company President Chris Johns. "Many of the winners of the inaugural Bright Minds Scholarship Program have overcome personal adversity. All of them share a spirit of service and a commitment to building a brighter future in their communities. We look forward to fostering our relationships with these students as they complete their education, begin their careers and become our leaders of tomorrow."  

The PG&E Bright Minds scholarships were awarded based on a combined demonstration of community leadership, personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement. The top 10 recipients are:

• Julian Alvarez, a U.S. veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and current student at Los Positas Junior College, Livermore, Calif. Julian plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in communications at a four-year university.
• Raymond Chan, graduating senior at John F. Kennedy High School, Sacramento, Calif. Raymond plans to attend Stanford University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering this fall.
• Kara Davis, third-year student at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, Calif. Kara is pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology.
• Lisa English, third-year student at California State University, Bakersfield. Lisa is pursuing a bachelor's degree in environmental resources.
• Craig Martineau, graduating senior at Templeton High School, Templeton, Calif. Craig plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology this fall.
• Erica McCray, third-year student at Pacific Union College, Angwin, Calif. Erica is pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work.
• Marisa Monier, third-year student at the University of California, Berkeley. Marisa is pursuing a bachelor's degree in peace and conflict studies.
• Nicholas Raber, graduating senior at Alameda High School, Alameda, Calif. Nicholas plans to attend the University of California, Berkeley to pursue a bachelor's degree in cognitive science this fall.
• Song Vang, fifth-year student at the California State University, Fresno. Song is pursuing a bachelor's degree in deaf education and linguistics.
• Hunter Wright, graduating senior at Edison High School, Fresno, Calif. Hunter plans to attend the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla., to pursue a degree in English this fall.

Awarded scholarship funds will help students pay for university tuition, books and supplies, and room and board. High school students will receive renewable full-ride scholarships of up to $30,000 for five years. "Non-traditional" students currently attending post-secondary schools will receive up to $30,000 per year until a certificate, associate's or bachelor's degree is earned. Scholarship Management Services served as PG&E's facilitator for its Bright Minds Program and selected the scholarship recipients.

"PG&E's Bright Minds Program is unique in that it offers scholarships to high school students as well as community college and 'non-traditional' students," said Barb Weber, vice president of Scholarship Management Services. "Too often, college students in their third, fourth or fifth years face the biggest financial challenges and, unfortunately, have to prolong or postpone their education. PG&E's Bright Minds scholarship will help bridge the financial gap for these students to complete their education goals."

In addition to the scholarship opportunities through the PG&E Bright Minds Program, a wide variety of scholarships were also offered through PG&E's Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). This year, PG&E's 10 ERGs will award $302,000 in scholarships to 163 college-bound students from Northern and Central California. Within the past decade, PG&E's ERGs have provided over $2.5 million in scholarships to over a thousand students in diverse communities. The funds were primarily collected from PG&E employees' contributions and ERG fundraising events. PG&E's ERG Scholarship recipients will be notified individually. Students interested in applying for future PG&E's ERG scholarship programs may visit www.pge.com/scholarships for more information.  

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG), and the PG&E Corporation Foundation strive to power strong communities throughout Northern and Central California. In 2011, PG&E contributed over $23 million to more than 1,100 charitable organizations, including matching the generosity of employees who donated more than $5.3 million and volunteered 31,000 hours to company-supported events. Community investments are funded entirely by shareholders. For more information, visit www.pge.com/community.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company