Chesapeake announces $1.25 million scholarship challenge reached – fund now totals more than $3.75 million

Thanks to the Chesapeake Scholarship Fund, Diana Serrano will be the first person in her family to attend college, and Latodria Hartford will fulfill her college dream of studying pharmacology. And as significant and life-changing that may be for these two young women, it’s not the whole story.

Chesapeake Energy announced at a June 5 news conference that cities of Fort Worth and Dallas were able to meet — and exceed — Chesapeake’s fundraising challenge, guaranteeing that many more students will follow in Diana’s and Latodria’s footsteps.

The Chesapeake Scholarship Fund, benefiting minority and socially disadvantaged youth in Dallas and Fort Worth, was established one year ago in celebration of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport natural gas lease. At the time, Chesapeake challenged Dallas and Fort Worth to match its initial gift of $1.25 million, and if successful, Chesapeake would donate an additional $1.25 million to the fund.

At the news conference, held at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s Administration Building, Estrella Energy CEO David Biegler and Freese and Nichols CEO Bob Pence announced that Dallas and Fort Worth had surpassed the high bar set for the challenge, with each community raising approximately $680,000. Because of their success and with Chesapeake’s initial contribution and subsequent match, an unprecedented $3.8 million is available for the next 10 years to help academically gifted students with limited financial means attain a higher education. Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert were present at the event, praising the many charitable foundations, private individuals and philanthropic organizations playing a part in the fundraising.

Two young women were recognized as the top scholars out of the 15 students who were chosen to receive scholarships by the Dallas Foundation and Community Foundation of North Texas, which manage the funds for the Dallas and Fort Worth communities, respectively. Dallas scholarship recipient Latodria Hartford, who ranked third in her class at James Madison High School in Dallas, will pursue a degree in pharmacology at the University of Houston. Fort Worth scholarship recipient Diana Serrano, this year’s valedictorian at North Side High School in Fort Worth, will attend Texas Christian University this fall with the long-term goal of attending medical school.

Chesapeake congratulates all the scholarship recipients and the communities of Fort Worth and Dallas.  Because of their commitment and dedication, they have collectively ensured a brighter future for North Texas.