• The Salt Lake Education Foundation has honored Marathon Petroleum Corporation for enhancing student engagement and academic outcomes in the Salt Lake City School District.
• The foundation’s Spirit of Olene Walker – Outstanding Corporation Award recognizes Marathon’s ongoing grants and volunteer support from its Salt Lake City refinery employees.
• A $100,000 grant awarded in September will benefit a local high school’s robotics competition program and help renovate a community learning center near the refinery.

The Salt Lake Education Foundation (SLEF) is crediting Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) with enhancing student engagement and overall academic outcomes in the Salt Lake City School District. SLEF, a nonprofit that works to strengthen the district’s educational opportunities, recently honored MPC with the Spirit of Olene Walker – Outstanding Corporation Award for its ongoing grants and employee volunteer support.

"MPC has come alongside us with unwavering dedication. The company’s beneficial influence has been widely recognized by educators, students, parents and community members alike."

“MPC has consistently demonstrated a deep-rooted commitment to education and community development,” said SLEF Director James Yapias. “Over the five years I’ve been at the foundation, the company has provided volunteer assistance in addition to grants totaling more than $500,000. This aid has made possible numerous educational projects along with outreach efforts for students in need, such as supplying coats and shoes and operating emergency food pantries.”

Much of MPC’s financial support has focused on advancing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. Among other initiatives, funding has:

• established teacher overtime for math tutoring
• created a full-year engineering program to prepare students for success at the university level
• laid the groundwork for development of a Utah STEM Ecosystem Community of Practice

Most recently, a $100,000 grant was awarded in September for dual purposes. Part of the funds will assist the robotics competition program at West High School, covering equipment maintenance, supplies, entry fees for regional robotics competitions and related travel expenses. The remainder of the grant will help renovate the Rose Park Community Learning Center, which offers educational and life skills enrichment for families and students in a neighborhood near MPC’s Salt Lake City refinery.

“MPC has come alongside us with unwavering dedication to fostering educational achievement, enriching lives and creating a positive impact within the community,” Yapias said. “The company’s beneficial influence has been widely recognized by educators, students, parents and community members alike.”