John Gray Scholarship

Empowering the Next Generation: The John Gray Scholarships


Established at IDEA's 100th Annual Conference in 2009, the John Gray Scholarship aims to attract and retain individuals wishing to pursue knowledge about energy in general and district energy specifically.

The scholarship is available annually to students looking to further their knowledge of the industry through educational programs at four-year universities, two-year community colleges that offer an Associate’s Degree in power engineering, accredited technical training institutes, or certification programs with accredited institutions.

Children of IDEA member employees, or student candidates recommended by an IDEA member in good standing are eligible. Please contact Jason Beal for questions about eligibility.

John Gray- A life of learning and laughter

For nearly 50 years, John attended the IDEA Annual Conference and greatly enjoyed taking the podium to offer the invocation, regaling all with his trademark wit and humility. You can watch the highlights of these amazing moments by clicking the YouTube link to the left.
 
John believed passionately in the importance of the IDEA community and was committed to lifelong learning.  His legacy both personally and professionally is profound. While he is still missed by his immediate family and IDEA family, including the many hundreds of people he touched over the years with his deep technical expertise, genuine kindness and abundant good humor, the John Gray Scholarships ensure his mission and his message continues. 
 
Our friend and colleague John Gray passed away on November 10, 2015.

Award Eligibility

John Gray Scholarship eligibility includes the following four candidate categories:

  • First-time IDEA meeting attendance for employees of member organizations or as designated by the Member to attend a conference.
  • Continuing education financial assistance for Members' children.
  • Education financial assistance for employees of member organizations who are seeking to upgrade their professional expertise and qualifications, including Bachelor or Associate Degree programs with accredited institutions.
  • Education financial assistance as a means of attracting people to potential careers in the district energy industry.

Meet the 2025 John Gray Scholarship Winners

On Tuesday, June 3 at IDEA2025 in Minneapolis, we had the pleasure of recognizing one of our largest classes of John Gray Scholarship recipients. Learn more about these outstanding individuals below and watch the full ceremony at the link provided. If they’re any indication, the future of district energy is in great hands.

Watch the Awards Ceremony

Shrey Agarwal


Shrey Agarwal is a University of Nebraska–Lincoln student pursuing majors in Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, and Data Science through the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management. With a strong foundation in computer science and data-driven problem solving, Shrey is passionate about building systems that integrate sustainability, artificial intelligence, and real-world impact. He has applied these interests in projects ranging from district energy optimization at UNL to AI-enhanced safety monitoring for outdoor environments.

With support from the John Gray Scholarship, Shrey plans to deepen his hands-on experience with sustainable energy systems on campus and beyond. He aims to take on projects that explore how engineering and data analysis can make thermal energy systems more efficient and scalable. The scholarship will help him pursue research opportunities, attend industry conferences, and collaborate more closely with mentors and professionals in the district energy space. In the long term, Shrey hopes to lead initiatives that bring smarter, cleaner infrastructure to communities, starting with universities and growing into broader urban applications.

Conlan Ahern


My name is Conlan Ahern and I am a student in South Dakota State’s Engineering Program. I am planning on completing my undergraduate in electrical engineering and minoring in mathematics along the way. 

I enjoy the classes I am taking as well as the state of South Dakota because I enjoy hunting in my free time. I also enjoy golf which I partake in quite a bit during the spring. This scholarship is very helpful and allows me to continue my studies at South Dakota State with less worry about the financial stress of paying for it. I throughly enjoy what I am doing and learning, and SDSU has done an amazing job at exposing me early on with jobs and future careers that come within the degree. I am very thankful for this opportunity and I look forward to what my future holds. 

Noah Brobst


My name is Noah Brobst, and I’m a chemical engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. Alongside my major, I’m pursuing a certificate in nuclear engineering and a minor in computer and electrical engineering. Outside the classroom, I’m passionate about music and sports—I enjoy playing piano, soccer, and football with friends. I’m also deeply involved in a Christian ministry on campus, where I lead a small group of about ten men, helping them grow in character and faith by looking more like Jesus. Twice a month, I lead worship for our large group gatherings, which bring together around 200 students.
 
My goal is to complete my degree and build a career in the energy sector. With this scholarship, I hope to continue investing in my education and gaining experience that will equip me to help solve the complex energy challenges facing our world. I aspire to contribute to a future where energy systems are cleaner, more efficient, and built to meet the needs of growing urban populations.

Mobola Dosumu


I’m Mobola Dosumu, a current MBA student at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business, with a focus on energy transition and analytics. My academic background is in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, and for over 18 years, I built a career in the upstream oil and gas industry, leading sales and commercial strategy for global energy technology companies. While that chapter gave me a deep appreciation for the energy sector’s complexity, I’ve since shifted my focus toward what’s next—building cleaner, smarter systems for a more sustainable world.
 
Today, I serve as National Sales Manager at MAN Energy Solutions, where I help our customers advance decarbonization through large-scale industrial heat pump solutions across North America. I’m excited about helping cities, campuses, and industries transition from fossil fuel-based heating to electrified systems, using data-driven insights and innovative technologies to enable practical, scalable change. For me, supporting decarbonization is not just part of my professional path—it reflects a personal interest in contributing to practical, long-term solutions that promote a more sustainable future.
 
Being named a John Gray Scholar is a tremendous honor. This scholarship supports my continued growth as a leader in energy sustainability and strengthens my connection to the district energy community—a network I’m proud to learn from and contribute to as we work together to reimagine what’s possible. I’m excited to speak at IDEA 2025 this year on “Sustainable Energy for Electric Vehicle Production – MAN Energy Solution’s Industrial Air-Sourced Heat Pump @ Scout Motors.”

Felix Fiifi Ekuful


Felix Fiifi Ekuful is a Ph.D. student in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and expected to graduate in 2028. Felix’s research focuses on enhancing energy efficiency in buildings through the development of advanced control and optimization strategies. Felix’s academic and professional journey is grounded in a deep commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency, and the future of smart infrastructure. He previously served as a Graduate Intern at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) where he gained valuable hands-on experience in national energy efficiency initiatives.

With the support of the IDEA scholarship, Felix plans to advance his research on innovative energy management systems that reduce consumption and lower carbon emissions in the built environment. Felix is passionate about leveraging technology to address global energy challenges and create healthier, more sustainable communities. After graduation, Felix plans to pursue a faculty role in academia, combining teaching and research to shape the next generation of energy engineers. 

Tyler Kleinsasser


Tyler Kleinsasser is a dedicated student at the SD School of Mines and Technology. His early interest in construction and engineering, fostered by several family members in related fields, laid the foundation for his accomplished academic journey. Throughout his college career, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA and actively engaged in a wide range of projects, including several humanitarian initiatives.

After graduation, Tyler aims to pursue a challenging and rewarding career and to eventually start his own company. He aspires to mentor others, share his knowledge, and contribute to the next generation, fostering growth, development, and sustainability. In his spare time, Tyler enjoys learning about technology, playing games, reading, and outdoor activities.

Joshua McConnell


My name is Joshua McConnell. I am currently a student at San Jacinto College, completing my core coursework before transferring to Liberty University to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering Technology. Engineering has been a longtime passion of mine, and I’m excited to take the next step toward a career in a field I genuinely love. In addition to my studies, I work in sales at Zwick Valves, a company specializing in triple offset butterfly valves. This role has given me valuable insight into the industry and helped me to understand what quality engineering truly looks like.
 
Outside of school and work, I serve in the media team for the youth ministry at my local church. I also enjoy photography and videography, working to help local companies in the Houston area with their media. With the support of this scholarship, I hope to graduate debt-free and begin building a strong foundation for my future family. My long-term goal is to move into a leadership role within my current company, eventually managing or even owning a business of my own!

John Anthony Rauker Steinbergs


John Steinbergs recently defended his thesis on thermochemical energy storage in contribution to his Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. John was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN before attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and a Engineering Thermal Energy Systems certificate. His areas of study continue to focus on thermodynamics and heat transfer applied to thermal energy systems with interests in buildings, combined heat and power, and district systems. 


He is joining Salas O'Brien this June as an energy modeling specialist in Madison, WI to support project modeling and the development of TRNSYS. The John Gray Scholarship will contribute to his continued learning as he pursues a BEMP certification.

Avery Vest


I am a Senior at the University of Iowa, studying Chemical Engineering and Sociology. I have passion for environmental issues a growing interest in the energy sector and I am excited to join the IDEA community and get involved with others who are committed to innovation and impact. 


With support from this scholarship I will continue into my senior year focused on exploring internships and careers in energy. I am grateful for the chance to pursue my goals with IDEA’s support!

Anne Wu


Anne Wu is currently pursuing her Bachelor's Degree at the University of Iowa for Chemical Engineering and plans to graduate in the Spring of 2026. At school, she is taking classes for her environmental focus area and serves on the board of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. This summer, she is working for KCL Engineering, who inspired her to apply for this John Gray Scholarship. With this scholarship, she aims to dedicate more time to her academic development while continuing work for KCL during the school year. 
 
After graduation, she hopes to join the consulting field and plans to take the Fundamentals Exam her senior year. Anne is drawn to the field of consulting because of its dynamic nature, interdisciplinary challenges, and client-centered impact. It offers the opportunity to apply technical knowledge to solve real-world problems across a variety of industries. She enjoys working collaboratively to find innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious solutions. Engineering consulting aligns with her long-term goal of combining technical expertise with communication and leadership skills to make a tangible difference. 

About John Gray

 

John Gray was a world-class scientist and engineer with a distinguished career as a chemist. His career began in January 1949 when he joined Dearborn Chemical as a laboratory technician. He retired as senior vice-president in 1994. John was selected in 2003 by the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) as an accomplished, 50-year contributor to the chemical profession. In 1994, he formed a corrosion consulting firm, John Gray & Associates, and served as senior water conditioning consultant for GE Betz in Trevose, PA.

John served as President of IDEA in 1991 and also served as a member of its Board of Directors. He was a beloved and regular attendee of IDEA conferences since 1967.

John presented many technical papers on industrial water conditioning in Canada, the U.S., Great Britain, and Australia. He was a member of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers and holds patents on his boiler sludge conditioner, a closed water corrosion inhibitor and a neutral pH, non-corrosive rust remover. He was awarded the prestigious Norman R. Taylor award by IDEA in 1994 for his distinguished achievements in district energy.

If you attend an IDEA conference, you might see (and might be given) a badge with the image of an apple on it. This is another amazing contribution from John, given to first-time attendees of any IDEA conference to let you know that, 'you are the apple of our eye' and as you can see from the photo to the left with his trusty, old-school apple peeler, John truly meant it.

Recent Winners