Liberty has offered its support to a new scholarship fund at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas, that will support future generations of electricians.
During a recent check presentation at the university’s Crossland Technology Center, Liberty gave $5,000 toward the endowment of the Jeff Brooks Scholarship – a name that is synonymous with the Electrical Technology program, says Associate Professor Clint Myers.
“Jeff taught this program for 40 years and really kept it alive,” says Myers. “Our best guess is that more than 800 electricians went through during his time here. He passed away in September of 2023. He had a huge impact on the trade and this scholarship (Liberty) has donated to is a way for his legacy to last forever.”
The Electrical Technology associate degree program – offered through PSU’s School of Construction – was established 75 years ago. It focuses on the three main areas of the trade: residential, commercial, and industrial. Hands-on instruction allows students to gain practical experience when it comes to installation, whether it’s wiring for a residential home or installing complex electrical systems.
“The base foundation we provide can translate into other areas, with utilities being one of the strongest,” Myers says. “We’ve had students go into generation, we’ve had them go into maintenance, and into line work.”
Demand for skilled electrical workers is on the rise, which is reflected in the number of students enrolled in the two-year program at PSU. Previously capped at 25 students, the fall 2025 semester will see the class size grow to 40.
John Shipley, Manager-Plant Operations for Liberty’s Riverton Power Plant, serves on PSU’s Electrical Technology advisory board. He says supporting the new scholarship is important to Liberty as the program creates skilled electrical workers who are ready to go on day one. He says at least a dozen current employees are graduates.
“We need to bring in people who already have a skill set,” he says. “It’s important that they are coming in safe, with knowledge of the industry, and with the ability to succeed in any of our plants. The quality of people we’re getting from this program has been very impressive.”
Click here to learn more about the Electrical Technology degree at PSU.