Scholarship Description
The Michigan Oil and Gas Association currently offers academic scholarships supported by funds contributed to honor the memory of Michigan oil and gas industry veterans Tony Howard, James Bigard and William Roth. The Tony Howard Scholarship Fund was established in 2010 in honor of Howard, who died Oct. 11, 2010, following a career in all phases of oil and gas drilling that spanned more than 50 years. The James Bigard Scholarship Fund was created following the Sept. 16, 2012, passing of Bigard, who built his company from a single drilling rig to a fleet of as many as 13, including the state’s first rated to 20,000 feet.
The William K. Roth Scholarship Fund was established following the Oct. 16th, 2017 passing of William K. "Bill" Roth, legendary Michigan petroleum geologist and mentor, whose steadfast leadership spanned his 58 year career in Michigan’s Oil and Gas Business. Applicants must be a Michigan resident who can demonstrate financial need and has a minimum 2.75 GPA (calculated on a 4.00 scale). Must be currently enrolled in an accredited Michigan college or university (This includes graduating high school seniors who are enrolled in a Michigan college or university) and must be enrolled in a course of study affiliated with Michigan’s oil and natural gas industry. Each scholarship award is a minimum of $500 and will be paid directly to the educational institution where the applicant is enrolled.
