Mark W. Schwirtz Employee Memorial Scholarship Application

Mark W. Schwirtz Employee Memorial Scholarship Application
About Mark

Mark Schwirtz served as President and CEO of Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. for 12 years, from 2008 until March 2020. His career spanned 35 years of electric utility experience and included service on the boards of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc., ACES and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas. His extensive work in the industry involved testifying on fuel and other utility issues before state and federal regulatory bodies. He brought experience in power supply planning, environmental permitting and electric utility operations and management, and is the author of several articles published in environmental publications. Schwirtz holds a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Texas A&M University and was a Commissioned Officer in the United States Naval Reserve.

In his tenure at Golden Spread, Mark provided outstanding leadership as Golden Spread transformed from a utility primarily purchasing power to one directly in control of its own power supply.
Scholarship Eligibility
1. Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 2023.
2. Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Golden Spread) c/o Opportunity Plan, Inc. (OPI) will award a minimum of one (1) $1,000 scholarship per year.
3. Available to applicants who are an employee or director of either Golden Spread or one of Golden Spread’s Members or whose parent(s) or guardian is an employee or director of either Golden Spread or one of Golden Spread’s Members.
4. Applicants must be a high school graduate or graduating high school senior with a minimum 2.5 or equivalent grade point average.
5. The scholarship(s) will be awarded to students based on a need for financial help, the student exhibiting a desire to further their education, and the ability to demonstrate he/she is qualified to attend a college, university or other educational institution. Grades will be considered, but will not be the only deciding factor.
6. Recipients may choose to attend any accredited college, university, junior/community college, trade/technical school or business school.
7. Courses of study must be taken in credit towards a degree, certificate, diploma or license awarded by the educational institution.
8. To receive the award, the recipient must enroll on a full-time basis, with a minimum of four courses or 12 credit hours, at the institution selected. Recipient must submit an official schedule to OPI within one (1) month of receiving notification of selection from OPI. Once this is received, the scholarship will be awarded by providing $1,000 paid directly to the recipient at the beginning of the fall semester.
Application Requirements
The completed scholarship application must include the Applicant Information and Attachments listed below:

1. Headshot Photo (JPG or PNG format)
2. Two (2) Character Reference Letters
3. Official High School and College (if applicable) Transcript(s)
4. Resume
5. Essay

The scholarship application must be completed in one sitting. If the program is closed before the application is submitted, it will NOT be saved.
Applicant Information
Name of Applicant*

First NameLast Name
Primary E-mail Address*
example@example.com
Mailing Address*

Street Address or PO Box

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Primary Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Parent/Guardian Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Name of Cooperative Employee, Cooperative Name, and Relation to Applicant*
Name of High School*
Date of Graduation*

MonthDayYear
High School GPA*
Current GPA or current cumulative college GPA on a 4.0 scale
Have you applied for the Golden Spread Directors Memorial Scholarship during this scholarship cycle?*

Yes, or I plan to apply for bothNo
Attachments
Headshot Photo*

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Please upload a headshot photo. Cancelof
Character References*

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Please upload two (2) character references that are not related to you. Cancelof
Official Transcript(s)*

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Please upload any official High School (must include the senior fall semester) or college (if applicable) transcript(s). Cancelof
Resume (see below)*

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Cancelof
Please upload a current resume including:

1. Affiliations and activities, indicating any offices held (past or current), leadership roles
2. Awards received
3. Any jobs held (past or current) and describe the nature of the work
4. Volunteer work
5. Other details
Essay (see below) *

Browse Files

Cancelof
Please submit a one (1) page maximum essay which includes a description of yourself, your planned field of study, goals (educational, professional and personal), and plans for the future. Please state how this scholarship will aid financially in your educational goals.
Application Approval

Please provide your signature approval for the following requirements. If the Applicant is under 18, the parent/guardian must review and provide signature approval.
1. I understand my name and information from my academic history may be released to the selection committee and the award donors. If granted an award, I release to Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Opportunity Plan, Inc. the right to use my name, story and picture for printed and video materials, reports and press releases, without compensation, as well as related recognition ceremonies and receptions.
2. I understand that I must attend full time (minimum 12 hours) in order to receive the Mark W. Schwirtz Employee Memorial Scholarship.
3. I understand that if I am awarded the Mark W. Schwirtz Employee Memorial Scholarship, it may affect other financial aid awards I may receive.
4. I give permission to Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. to use my photo in publications and social media for informational and promotional purposes.
5. I certify that this information contained in this application is true, complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Signature Approval*

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Mark W. Schwirtz Employee Memorial Scholarship Application

About Mark

Scholarship Eligibility

Application Requirements

Applicant Information

Attachments

Application Approval