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CDEP's 43rd Annual Energy Career Day and Student Recruitment Conference

The Cooperative Developmental Energy Program (CDEP) at Fort Valley State University hosted its 43rd Annual Energy Career Day and Student Recruitment Conference on February 22–23, 2026. Under the leadership of founder and director Isaac J. Crumbly, Ph.D., the invitation-only event convened corporate and government sponsors, partnering universities, alumni, current scholars and newly selected high school scholarship recipients to celebrate excellence in STEM education and industry collaboration.

Held at the C.W. Pettigrew Center, the conference brought together corporate supporters such as Georgia Power, ExxonMobil and Geosyntec Consultants, along with leading academic institutions including Georgia Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Texas at Austin and Grand Valley State University to demonstrate their shared commitment to CDEP’s mission.

The Industry Awards Banquet, recognized distinguished leaders in energy and STEM, including Platinum Achievement Award recipient Gretchen Gillis, former president of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. STEM Legacy Champion Awards were presented to Margo Bellamy, vice president of the Anchorage School Board, and Hazel Abe, retired educator and FVSU Alumna, for their contributions to CDEP's pre-college Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Academy. Academic Achievement Awards were also presented to CDEP scholars with the highest-grade point averages in their respective cohorts: Isaiah Leach (1st year awardee), India Hughes (2nd year awardee and 2-time recipient) and Kadyn Baker (3rd year awardee and 3-time recipient). 

In addition, Kadyn Baker and Willoughby Caine, were jacketed as Isaac J. Crumbly Legacy Scholars – a distinctive honor reserved for students who exemplify outstanding leadership and academic excellence.  The evening awards concluded with the presentation of the Geosyntec Steven Hinton Scholarship to dual-degree mathematics and geology scholar Jenai Clahar in recognition of her resilience and academic achievement.

During the Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Monday, February 23, eight new 3+3 dual-degree scholarship recipients were announced, each receiving scholarship packages valued at more than $100,000. FVSU-CDEP graduating seniors were also recognized for completing the undergraduate phase of the program and transitioning to the next stage of their academic journeys.

A significant highlight of the conference was the announcement of more than $1.3 million in sponsorship support to CDEP from partners - including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, Georgia Power, the Department of Education, Google, and Geosyntec – which will further strengthen CDEP’s ability to expand opportunities for future STEM scholars.

Since its inception, CDEP and its partner institutions have collectively awarded more than 500 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to academically talented students. The 43rd Annual Energy Career Day Conference was very well attended and once again affirmed CDEP’s role as a premier platform for advancing STEM education, and strengthening meaningful partnerships among academia, industry and government.

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