Fifteen of the 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. Five students were named alternates -- receiving one-time $1,000 awards.

Recipients are selected annually by an independent committee of judges. The awards are based on academics, personal essay, references, community service and demonstrated financial need.

“These scholarships are a commitment to an important charge -- supporting young men and women to become the leaders of tomorrow,” said Ruth Shaw, executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Duke Energy, and president of The Duke Energy Foundation. “Our scholarship program is one way we define the character of our company. After years of support, 500 students and more than $3 million in scholarship funds, we eagerly look forward to launching our next round of Duke Energy scholars in their college careers.”

The 2002 Duke Energy scholars are:

Jarrod K. Best – Riverside High School, Durham -- son of T. Ray Best II, region manager; Duke Power customer services, Durham.

Robert J. Cardone – Cinco Ranch High School, Katy, Texas -- son of Peter J. Cardone, assistant treasurer; Duke Energy corporate tax, Houston, Texas.

Lydia M. Efird – Central Cabarrus High School, Concord -- daughter of Martin E. Efird, senior engineer; McGuire Nuclear Station, Huntersville.

Melissa E. Greene – David W. Butler High School, Charlotte -- daughter of Sue B. Greene, CBIS analyst; Duke Power customer billing, Charlotte.

Seema Y. Kakad – Myers Park High School, Charlotte -- daughter of Pratibha M. Kakad, associate IM data delivery analyst; Duke Energy, Charlotte.

Alicia S. Kirby – Walhalla High School, Walhalla, S.C. -- daughter of Jackie R. Kirby, equipment specialist; Oconee Nuclear Station, Seneca, S.C.

Andrew D. Knudsen – East Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte -- son of Kris W. Knudsen, senior air compliance technical consultant; Duke Energy, Charlotte.

Emmanuel D. Lipscomb – Z.B. Vance High School, Charlotte -- son of Sylvia D. Blanton, Employee Service Center representative; Duke Energy, Charlotte.

Christina M. Litten – Z.B. Vance High School, Charlotte -- daughter of David W. Litten, senior IM server analyst; Duke Energy, Charlotte.

Emily K. McCallum – Nimitz High School, Houston -- daughter of David A. McCallum, director of rates and cost recovery; Duke Energy Gas Transmission, Houston, Texas.

Huy Raymond Quach – James Bowie High School, Arlington, Texas -- son of Hung Quach, senior engineer; Duke Engineering & Services, Fort Worth, Texas.

Lauryn M. Slomkowski – Coginchaug Regional High School, Durham, Conn. -- daughter of Thomas P. Slomkowski, P/L specialist; Duke Energy Gas Transmission, Chaplin, Conn.

David M. Straughan – Clements High School, Sugarland, Texas -- son of Michael W. Straughan, accounting analyst; Duke Energy, Houston, Texas.

Joshua R. Wald – Walhalla High School, Walhalla, S.C. -- son of James R. Wald, Keowee Hydro Station operator; Seneca, S.C.

Karen L. Warren – Myers Park High School, Charlotte -- daughter of David E. Warren, senior engineer; Duke Energy, Charlotte.

2002 Duke Energy scholars program alternates are:

Charlton Heath Foster – Elkin High School, Elkin -- son of Charles R. Foster, field service representative; Duke Power, Elkin.

John R. Gaffney – Providence Day School, Charlotte -- son of Stephen R. Gaffney, senior engineer; Duke Energy, Charlotte.

Theresa A. Guida – Hinsdale Central High School, Hinsdale, Ill. -- daughter of Mark J. Guida, senior engineer; Duke Engineering & Services, Naperville, Ill.

Laura A. Porch – West Lincoln High School, Lincolnton -- daughter of Bobby B. Porch, nuclear control operator; McGuire Nuclear Station, Huntersville.

Lauren M. Proctor – West Forsyth High School, Clemmons -- daughter of Timothy C. Proctor, region manager -- customer service; Winston-Salem, N.C.

A new panel of five independent judges is invited to serve each year. They review the applications individually and meet in early April to make their final selections. The 2002 scholarship judges were:

·         Shern-Min Chow, co-anchor KHOU-TV weekend news, Houston, Texas

·         Marye Anne Fox, chancellor of North Carolina State University, Raleigh

·         Rep. John M. Spratt, U.S. Representative, 5^th District, South Carolina

·         Virginia K. Tippie, director of Coastal America Partnership, Washington, D.C.

·         Dr. H. James Williams, dean of the School of Business, North Carolina Central University, Durham.

Each year, graduating high school seniors who are children of 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 this year’s competition.

Duke Energy, a diversified multinational energy company, creates value for customers and shareholders through an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. Duke Energy manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses -- generating revenues of more than $59 billion in 2001. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 100 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.