News Release April 14, 2000

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Eleven daughters and nine sons of Duke Energy employees have been selected to receive the 2000 Duke Energy Scholars Program awards.

Out of the 20 recipients, 15 will receive up to $5,000 per year, for up to four consecutive years of undergraduate study at an accredited, two-year technical school or community college and/or four-year college or university in the United States. Five students were selected alternates, receiving one-time $1,000 awards and eligibility to receive a four-year scholarship if any of the full-scholarship recipients decline the award prior to the acceptance deadline.

An independent committee of judges selects recipients annually. The scholarships are merit-based with judges balancing academics and a student essay with personal references, community service and demonstrated financial need. The judges expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to evaluate such an outstanding group of young people, commenting that the caliber of the candidates reflects the high quality of the people at Duke Energy.

Selected as 2000 Duke Energy scholars are:

• Elizabeth Paige Auten, daughter of William J. Auten, a technical specialist II in Duke Energy facility services, Charlotte.

• Steven W. Boyd, son of Charles W. Boyd, a work control superintendent at Oconee Nuclear Station.

• Kathleen M. Buchheit, daughter of John M. Buchheit, a scientist with Duke Engineering & Services (DE&S), Marlborough, Mass.

• Matthew A. Child, son of Cedric L. Child, a project manager at DE&S in Marlborough, Mass.

• Sara A. Fry, daughter of William H. Fry, a senior engineer in pipeline engineering and environmental, Houston.

• Janna K. Gonwa, daughter of Phillip J. Gonwa, an engineer at Belews Creek Steam Station, Stokes County, N.C.

• Christopher M. Hays, son of Mark S. Hays, regional environmental health & safety manager for Duke/Fluor Daniel in Morro Bay, Calif.

• Sarah M. Laster, daughter of Gil W. Laster, an engineer in power generation, Duke Energy, Charlotte.

• John R. Menninger, son of John W. Menninger, vice president, DukeSolutions, Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Mary Brooke Misenheimer, daughter of Stephen E. Misenheimer, a customer account specialist for Duke Power, Charlotte.

• Ashleigh A. Owen, daughter of Daniel G. Owen, a retired Duke Power principal engineer, Mooresville, N.C.

• Ariel B. Triece, daughter of Douglas H. Triece, a scientist at McGuire Nuclear Station.

• Sandi M. Wall, daughter of Yvonne Wall Whitfield, a field service representative for Duke Power, Durham, N.C.

• Christopher D. Wellbaum, son of Daniel A. Wellbaum, an engineer at Catawba Nuclear Station.

• Nicholas D. Williams, son of Garthae (Skip) B. Williams, a senior electrical engineer for Duke Energy, Charlotte.

2000 Duke Energy Scholars Program alternates are:

• Miyoshi B. Juergensen, daughter of Robert H. Juergensen (deceased), formerly a junior chemist at McGuire Nuclear Station.

• Amy S. Love, daughter of Thomas M. Love, a Duke Power senior engineer in Charlotte.

• Jason L. Maners, son of Joel L. Maners, a nuclear maintenance specialist at McGuire Nuclear Station.

• Daniel F. Reames, son of Thad C. Reams, Jr., a nuclear shift supervisor at McGuire Nuclear Station.

• Joshua T. Reece, son of James T. Reece, a shift work manager, Catawba Nuclear Station.

Each year, graduating high school seniors who are sons or daughters of eligible employees, retirees or deceased employees of Duke Energy and its subsidiaries may apply for the scholarships. Duke Energy’s community relations department received more than 300 requests for applications for the 2000 scholarship competition.

The 2000 scholarship judges were:

• Shirley T. Frye, vice president of community relations at WFMY-TV Greensboro, N.C.
• J. Kingsley Fink, vice president of Yankee Gas Services Company, Meridian, Conn.
• Dr. John C. Hitt, president, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla.
• The Honorable Shirley Horton, mayor, Chula Vista, Calif.
• Dr. Lee Kindberg, energy and environmental consultant, Charlotte, N.C.