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H.J. (Tom) Thompson (President, Olds College), Bente Nelson (EnCana Team Lead, Surface Land Admin), Florence Murphy (EnCana Vice President of Public and Community Relations), Mary Ann Steen (EnCana Manager Community Investment), and Stirling McLeod (Chair, Olds College Board of Governors) with the two commemorative plaques unveiled at the February 21st event.

Olds College and EnCana Corporation came together today to launch a new partnership that will enhance land negotiations in the oil and gas industry in Alberta.

Representatives from EnCana’s corporate head office in Calgary were on campus to announce the company’s donation of $1.05 million in support of Olds College’s unique programming initiatives in its Land Agent program. EnCana’s commitment is twofold, including a $900,000 donation to Olds College’s Energy Industry Partnership Fund and an additional $105,000 in support of scholarships for students with 4-H experience who are enrolled in land-based programs at Olds College.

“Olds College is working in partnership with some of Alberta’s key industry organizations to raise the professionalism and practice of Alberta’s surface land agent sector,” said Joel Gingrich, Chair, Olds College School of Land Sciences. “EnCana has taken a leadership role in helping start this partnership through this significant donation and we are confident that other oil and gas companies will see value in joining us in this partnership. EnCana’s commitment allows us to take the first step toward our vision of providing national class land agent training. The Energy Industry Partnership will include the naming of a senior oil and gas industry professional to serve as an Endowed Chair and act as liaison between Olds College’s Land Agent program and the industry. This position will play a critical role in facilitating the development of training and in shaping the high level skills necessary for our graduates and practicing land agents to perform in an increasingly complex career.”

Land Agents are responsible for securing access to land prior to any oil and gas initiatives, and therefore serve as a vital link in the development of Alberta’s oil and gas industry. The initial interaction between land agent, land owner and other impacted parties in the surrounding community establishes how an energy company is viewed by the community. All other layers of energy development are built on the success of this interaction.

“The Olds College Land Agent program has always been a leader in graduating trained professionals into the industry, and EnCana recognized our vision to maximize and enhance our contribution to their industry,” said H.J. (Tom) Thompson, Olds College President. “EnCana’s commitment will support us as we increase the number of graduates Olds College provides to this vital industry, enhance the quality of our programming, and increase the standards of the entire oil and gas industry. EnCana’s leadership has direct benefits to both the oil and gas and utilities industries, and this is truly an historic day for Olds College.”

To commemorate the single largest corporate donation in its history, Olds College today unveiled two plaques dedicating EnCana Corporation’s name to the lecture theatre and adjacent wing within the School of Land Sciences.

“EnCana applauds Olds College for their vision. Today is an important step in building for the future,” said Florence Murphy, EnCana Vice President of Public and Community Relations.

“EnCana’s relationship with landowners is paramount to our success. We welcome this partnership as one means to realize the goal to which we aspire in this area. It is the graduates of this program who will have the opportunity to provide leadership and that leadership will be strengthened by what is learned at Olds College.”

EnCana is one of North America’s leading natural gas producers, and is among the largest holders of gas and oil resource lands onshore North America. By partnering with employees, community organizations and other businesses, EnCana contributes to the strength and sustainability of the communities in which they operate. For more information on EnCana visit www.encana.com.

Maintained by the Web Coordinator, (403) 507-7713 — Last updated September 5, 2007