New foundation takes up the challenge
By Janice Paskey
A fresh generation of Calgary philanthropists has emerged
with the launch of a new foundation for energy education and
research.
FEER, the Foundation for Energy Education and Research in
Calgary, is the brainchild of four friends in the oilpatch
who want to help students financially who are embarking on
a career in oil and gas, and to ensure they have the best possible
education in energy-related disciplines.
 Two
years ago, Darryl Proudfoot, vice-president and treasurer of
Rider Resources —who finances four bursaries with wife Peggy
Proudfoot—was challenged by University of Calgary President
Dr. Harvey Weingarten who asked “why aren’t more people downtown
doing what you’re doing?”
“Harvey threw the grenade and I covered it,” Proudfoot says. Weingarten’s challenge matched his own inner voice to give back more to the community in some way, shape or form.
Proudfoot began to talk with friends Sheldon Steeves (president
and CEO Echoex), Bruce McFarlane (VP Rider Resources) and
Ross Douglas (president and CEO Mancal Energy) and, after two
years of meetings and due diligence, they launched FEER with
bold ambitions.
Together the group has committed more than $500,000
of its own money and is seeking $20 million from the downtown
oil and gas crowd. FEER will benefit both the U of C and SAIT,
with four scholarships and bursaries awarded to each this year.
Future plans are to provide funding for engineering and geosciences
labs as well as to attract the best energy educators in the
world to Calgary.
The goal is to make Calgary the best place
in the world to get an education in the energy field.
Four
students at U of C have already received their $5,000 bursaries
and scholarships. Ann Hislop of the Faculty of Science and
Audrey Kertesz of the Schulich School of Engineering, were
on hand at the foundation’s launch last week at the Petroleum Club to talk with their benefactors and others in the community.
Kertesz thanked FEER for her scholarship, mentioning that
she had a 4.0 average after one year of study. As many in the
audience squirmed—no doubt recalling their own marks—McFarlane
quipped: “It only took me two years to get a 4.0.”
FEER is in its infancy and is now meeting with people in the
oil and gas sector to raise the required funding. Once the
$20 million is reached, the foundation will expand the program
to include other disciplines at U of C, SAIT and Mount Royal.
For more information, visit the FEER website. www.feer-calgary.com/feer.htm
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