By Jaimie Woodard and Constance Marse, University Marketing Communications
Gulf Power Company has been powering up homes and businesses since 1926. Like the University of West Florida, Gulf Power is committed to serving Northwest Florida in innovative ways.
“As the largest supplier of electricity in Northwest Florida, Gulf Power’s mission is to safely provide affordable, reliable, environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities,” said Susan Story, president and chief executive officer of Gulf Power. “We take every part of that statement seriously. Our company and its employees are dedicated to balancing all of these roles to ensure that Northwest Florida remains one of the premier places to live, work and raise a family.
UWF and Gulf Power have partnered on numerous community projects such as the UWF-run archaeological survey of Gulf Power’s headquarters at Hawkshaw, a grant supporting UWF’s School of Science and Engineering, robot-building competitions for middle and high schoolers and the development of a multicultural center that will celebrate the diversity of Pensacola.
“UWF’s leadership and involvement in community issues is a great asset for Northwest Florida,” said Story. “For our region to grow and prosper, it is critical to have a university that is engaged in the community. UWF recognizes its community responsibilities and is involved in chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, forums and charitable organizations.”
Story said UWF’s partnership with Gulf Power has helped her company maintain an educated and trained workforce. She believes maintaining a partnership with UWF enables the continual alignment of curriculum with changing industry workforce requirements and ensures graduating students possess both technical competencies in their field, as well as critical thinking skills. Story hopes UWF will continue to provide baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degrees that both build the region’s talent base and introduce students from outside the area to Northwest Florida.
“It is critical that UWF continue to expand its offerings in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as these degrees greatly enhance our region’s marketability,” said Story. “UWF is poised to take on an education leadership role for Northwest Florida and can play a much stronger role in initiatives that will improve the entire talent development pipeline.”
For more information on UWF’s Science and Engineering programs, visit uwf.edu/sse. For more information on Gulf Power, visit gulfpower.com.