From Northern Wasco County PUD:
By Karen Heim
The Dalles, Ore., April 30, 2025 — Northern Wasco County PUD (NWCPUD) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 Board of Directors’ Scholarship Program.
Board Vice President and Scholarship Committee Member Scott Taylor announced the three exceptional local students at The Dalles High School Scholarship Awards Night on April 29, receiving scholarships to support their pursuit of education in fields related to the utility industry.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Zachariah Banks, who will attend George Fox University to study Mechanical Engineering
Madison Brock, who will attend Mt. Hood Community College to study Business
Benjamin Dahl, who will attend Oregon State University to study Artificial Intelligence
“The future of the utility industry depends on talented individuals from all educational backgrounds,” said Roger Kline, NWCPUD General Manager and CEO. “Zach, Maddie, and Benjy have demonstrated exceptional promise in their respective fields, and we’re excited to support their academic pursuits. These scholarships represent our commitment to developing local talent that may one day strengthen our workforce and community.”
The NWCPUD scholarship program awards each recipient a total of $10,000 distributed over two years to support students pursuing fields of study that could benefit the utility industry. The program is designed to promote interest in utility careers while supporting local students in their educational journeys.
The scholarship program is part of Northern Wasco County PUD’s broader goal to support educational opportunities within its service territory. By helping local students pursue careers that could benefit the utility industry, the program invests in both their futures and the long-term vitality of the community. The NWCPUD Board of Directors remains dedicated to fostering the next generation of innovative professionals who will help shape the future of utility services in the region.
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Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District (NWCPUD) is a customer-owned utility that provides nearly 25,000 people and businesses with electricity in Wasco County, Oregon. Formed in August 1939 and first delivering power in April 1949, NWCPUD’s mission is to provide reliable, competitively-priced energy and related services that benefit our customers in the tradition of public power. As our name implies, “people” are what we are all about. For more information, please visit: https://www.nwascopud.org/.
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