Duke Energy Announces Academic Scholars for 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy announced today that 20 children of Duke Energy employees have been selected to receive 2008 Duke Energy scholarships made possible by The Duke Energy Foundation.

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Fifteen recipients will receive up to $5,000 per year for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. Five students were named alternates and will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship.

Scholarship recipients must be graduating high school/secondary school seniors and are chosen annually by an independent committee of judges. The committee reviews and selects applicants based on their performance in academics, leadership, participation in school and community activities, honors and awards, work experience and financial need.

"The Duke Energy scholarship program salutes the achievements of these talented students, while supporting the efforts of our invaluable employees and retirees," said Stick Williams, president, Duke Energy Foundation. "As we plan five to 10 years down the road and beyond, we recognize that a strong workforce is critical to ensuring a sustainable future."

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Mitchell Bowers of Rochester, Ind. - a student at Rochester High School in Rochester, he is the son of Larry Joe and Terri Bowers.

Ben Garren of Concord, N.C. - a student at Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord, he is the son of Terrell and Cindy Garren.

Jeremy Feaster of Charlotte - a student at Harding University High School in Charlotte, he is the son of Tyrone and Bernice Feaster.

Rachel Johnson of Huntersville, N.C. - a student at Hopewell High School in Huntersville, she is the daughter of Richard and Renee Johnson.

Anthony McClenny of Charlotte - a student at Zebulon B. Vance High School in Charlotte, he is the son of Andrew and Darlene McClenny.

Ryan Miller of Fairfield, Ohio - a student at Stephen T. Badin High School in Hamilton, he is the son of Michael and Sharon Miller.

Breanna Pasko of Statesville, N.C. - a student at Mooresville High School in Mooresville, she is the stepdaughter of Kip Smith and the daughter of Jack Pasko and Michele Smith.

Christopher Presnell of Harrisburg, N.C. - a student at Central Cabarrus High School in Concord, he is the son of Michael and Ginny Presnell.

Binita Raval of Belmont, N.C. - a student at South Point High School in Belmont, she is the daughter of Vatsalkumar and Bindu Raval.

Edward Redden of Cincinnati - a student at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, he is the son of Tony and Louise Redden.

Christopher Ring of Vincennes, Ind. - a student at Vincennes Lincoln High School in Vincennes, he is the son of Charlie and Dana Ring.

Joseph Silvers of Madison, N.C. - a student at Dalton L. McMichael High School in Mayodan, he is the son of Micky and Janet Silvers.

Daniel Wurst of Anderson, S.C. - a homeschooled student in Anderson, he is the son of James and Karen Wurst.

Alexander Young of Huntersville, N.C. - a student at Hopewell High School in Huntersville, he is the son of Ronnie and Cathy Jo Young.

Daniel Ziegler of Verona, Ky. - a student at Walton-Verona High School in Walton, he is the son of Dan and Cindy Ziegler.

ALTERNATES

Krystal Amburgey of Cincinnati - a student at Reading Jr. Sr. High School in Cincinnati, she is the daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Amburgey.

Julianne Orr of Rock Hill, S.C. - a student at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, she is the daughter of Christopher and Jeanie Orr.

LeAnna Ramey of Liberty, S.C. - a student at Liberty High School in Liberty, she is the daughter of Allen and Darla Ramey.

Amanda Timko of Cornelius, N.C. - a student at North Mecklenburg High School in Huntersville, she is the stepdaughter of Gary Lichtfeldt and daughter of Mitchell Timko and Phyllis Lichtfeldt.

Whitney Tooley of Poseyville, Ind. - a student at North Posey High School in Poseyville, she is the daughter of Greg and Susie Tooley.

Duke Energy, one of the largest electric power companies in the United States, supplies and delivers electricity to approximately 4 million U.S. customers in its regulated jurisdictions. The company has approximately 35,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity in the Midwest and the Carolinas, and natural gas distribution services in Ohio and Kentucky. In addition, Duke Energy has more than 4,000 megawatts of electric generation in Latin America, and is a joint-venture partner in a U.S. real estate company. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: http://www.duke-energy.com/.

CONTACT: Tom Shiel Phone: 704-382-2355 24-Hour: 704-382-8333