The Gas Compressor Association has donated US$18,000 for scholarships in the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology’s gas compression program.

Roy Achemire, division chairman for the school, said the program enrolled 40 students in the fall semester, bringing the student body to 70. It had 26 more applicants on a waiting list, so for the first time, the program will start a new class of freshmen students this January.

Students typically are placed in internships with gas compression companies during the summer semester. Achemire said a benefit of the increased enrollment is that students also will available for internships during the fall semester.

The Institute of Technology is building a Natural Gas Compression Training Center at its Okmulgee, Oklahoma, campus. The 24,000 sq.ft. (2230 m²) center is due completion later this year.