2025 Scholarship Recipients
The following candidates were awarded a $3,000 scholarship:
Brody Runyon is from Olney, IL. He is currently majoring in Energy Management at the University of Oklahoma. Brody is also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, active member of the OU Energy Management Student Association and participates in the Majors Mentoring Program. Brody’s family has deep roots in the Illinois Basin. After graduation, Brody plans to return to the Illinois Basin where he first developed his passion for the industry.
Reagan Sherretz is a previous Indiana Oil & Gas Association Scholarship recipient. Reagan is from Wadesville, IN. She is a graduate of Mater Dei School where she excelled in sports and participated in many school clubs. Reagan volunteers across many organizations. She is attending Indiana University and major in Geology and Earth Science for which she expresses sincere love and respect. Post degree she desires to work in the Oil and Gas Industry and hopes to work on reservoir mapping and waterflood technology.
The following candidate was awarded a $2,000 scholarship:
Luke Bolerjack is from Carmi, IL. He will attend the University of Kentucky in the fall where he will major in Chemical Engineering. During his high school career, he has been involved in cross country, wrestling, track, Student Council, National Honor Society, ACES, Math Team and Maroon Platoon. After receiving his degree, Luke plans to work at a crude oil refinery to help produce affordable, reliable energy for the US.
Claire Demeter is from Chesterton, IN. She will be attending Purdue University to pursue a major in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Claire is a natural leader and has an eagerness to collaborate. Her passion for safe, efficient process engineering will lead her to explore and expand on efficiencies in mining, refining and safety systems within the oil and gas industry.
Shelby Lang is from Mt. Vernon, IN. She will be attending Purdue University where she will study Chemical Engineering. Shelby is a member of the Mt. Vernon Community Garden Committee and serves as the president of both the Posey County Kings and Queens 4-H Club and the Mt. Vernon Chapter FFA. Upon graduation, she plans to return to Southern Indiana to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry.
Ethan Mansfield is from Mt. Vernon, IN. He plans to attend Purdue University where he will major in Chemical Engineering with a minor in business. Ethan was recognized with the University of Evansville Math Scholar Award and the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Along with his academic achievements, he has also provided significant contributions to his high school baseball and basketball team. He is driven to improve energy efficiency and plans to work at a refinery post-graduation.
David Quinonez-Diaz is from Evansville, IN. He plans to attend Purdue University in the fall, where he will major in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. David is a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo. He is a member of the National Honor Society and studied abroad in Saumur, France in the IU Honor Foreign Languages Program. David plans to pursue a career working with the heat transfer of fluids and optimize the processes using heat exchangers in refineries
The requirements for the scholarship are:
- Be a resident of IN, IL or KY and attending any accredited college; or be a non- IN, IL or KY resident attending an Indiana accredited college.
- Be a graduating high school senior; or a HS Transcript showing completion through home schooling; or currently enrolled in a post-secondary education program.
- Be attending college in the coming fall.
- Plan to pursue a career in the oil and gas industry; and be pursuing a bachelor's degree, with preference given for Earth Sciences, Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Geology majors.
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Have a financial need determined by the scholarship committee.
- Submit an original short essay which describes the applicant’s interest in the oil and gas industry and which career path the applicant is planning to pursue. The applicant is discouraged from resubmitting a previously submitted essay.
- Submit at least one (1) letter of recommendation from a Mentor, Educator or Oil and Gas Industry Professional.
- Applicant must not be an immediate family member of a member of the Scholarship Committee of the Indiana Oil and Gas Association and must be eligible to accept the Scholarship under the Indiana Code of Ethics applicable to state employees, special state appointees and their covered family members.
Please submit application form, transcript, recommendation letter and essay by April 1 of each year to:
Indiana Oil and Gas Association
PO BOX 272
Mount Vernon, IN 47620
If you have any questions, please email Indiana Oil and Gas Association at [email protected]
or call at 812-838-8135.