Duke Energy Florida has announced a generous donation of $50,000 to St. Petersburg College's Promise Scholarship program. This donation will provide graduating high school students from eight Pinellas County high schools with the opportunity to attend St. Petersburg College (SPC) at no cost to them.
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, expressed the company's commitment to uplifting the communities they serve, stating, "We are proud to support this scholarship opportunity that we believe will have a lasting impact on tomorrow's workforce as well as generations to come."
The Promise Scholarship program was launched last year as a pilot program for graduates of five high schools in Pinellas County with the highest poverty rates. In 2023, over 460 students received the scholarship, and the program has expanded to include eight high schools this year.
Dr. Tonjua Williams, SPC president, expressed gratitude for Duke Energy's continued support, stating, "This generous donation from Duke Energy helps us continue our promise to educate students into better jobs, better lives, and better futures."
The scholarship funds will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis. Once students submit their SPC application, they will receive the next steps to secure their scholarship.
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity and supplies electricity to 1.9 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
St. Petersburg College, founded in 1927, is Florida's first two-year college. It offers over 200 degree, certificate, and transfer programs, including industry-recognized workforce certifications that equip students with the skills needed to meet the demands of today's employers.
For more information about the Promise Scholarship program, interested students can visit spc.edu/promisescholarship.
Contact:
- Duke Energy Florida Media line: 800.559.3853, Twitter: @DE_AudreyS
- St. Petersburg College Media Contact: Samantha Stanich, Phone: 727.341.4195, Email: Stanich.Samantha@SPCollege.edu