Eastern Gateway oil and gas degree in the pipeline

Eastern Gateway oil and gas degree in the pipeline

YOUNGSTOWN

The board of trustees of Eastern Gateway Community College has approved a two-year associate of technical study degree in natural gas operation, to be offered by the college if the Ohio Board of Regents approves it.

Among the courses included in the program would be technical and professional writing, general chemistry, physics, industrial controls, technical algebra and trigonometry, petroleum geology, casing and cementing, drilling fluids, horizontal directional drilling, and industrial and welding safety.

“We’ve already started offering some classes that the students can take now in preparation,” for credit at the college’s Youngstown and Steubenville campuses, said Ann M. Koon, the college’s director of public information.

James Baber, executive vice president for academic and student affairs, told the board Wednesday that the oil and gas drilling industry “is one of the up and coming fields where we expect to have large employment opportunities for our students.”

Baber said he hopes the Ohio Board of Regents will approve the program within two months and that the degree program can be offered beginning in the fall of 2014. Courses students take now can be applied toward the new degree, he added.

“We have a robust program ready,” said Laura Meeks, college president, adding that she has discussed it with Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber officials. “When business is calling us, we’ll be ready,” she said.