At IDEA2025, district energy professionals from around the world shared ideas and insights and recognized the accomplishments of their peers. They also honored the recipients of the 2025 John Gray Scholarship. Established in 2009, the scholarship is named for a former IDEA president and board member whose passion for welcoming new members and first-time attendees at conferences has become ingrained in IDEA's culture.
If you've attended an IDEA conference, you've likely noticed the apple icons visible on the badges of some attendees. This tradition is an homage to long-time member and leader within IDEA, John Gray. Over the course of his career, John assembled a world-class collection of unique apple corer-peelers, devices that resemble your grandmother’s egg-beater, and when turning the hand crank both cut out the apple core while simultaneously peeling off the skin. John’s collection of these devices ultimately resulted in a collection in the Smithsonian Institute, and he would graciously demonstrate their use as indicative of combined heat and power – one input for two useful outputs. John believed that IDEA needed to recognize and welcome first-time attendees to our conferences, so we adopted an “apple sticker” for their badges. John was known to warmly welcome first-timers to conferences, telling them that they were all "the apple of our eye."
A respected engineer and chemist, in addition to being the self-appointed, unofficial head of the IDEA welcoming committee, John believed passionately in the importance of lifelong learning. It's this spirit of impact, innovation, and mentorship that lives on through the John Gray Scholarship, supporting the next generation of leaders in district energy. This year's class of scholarship recipients ranges from students who just finished their first year of college to those new to the industry, pursuing further education at the doctoral level. Their unique perspectives, fresh ideas, and diverse interests will power the future of district energy. Let's meet the 2025 scholars!
Meet the 2025 John Gray Scholars
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.
Shrey Agarwal, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln student, is pursuing majors in mechanical engineering, mathematics, and data science. 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 hopes to use the scholarship support from IDEA to deepen his hands-on experience with sustainable energy systems, pursue research opportunities, and collaborate with mentors, ultimately aiming to lead initiatives that deliver innovative and clean infrastructure to communities.
Conlan Ahern, a student in South Dakota State's Engineering Program, is pursuing an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering with a minor in mathematics. This scholarship enables him to fully enjoy his learning experience and thoroughly explore future career opportunities.
Noah Brobst, a chemical engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh, is also pursuing a certificate in nuclear engineering and a minor in computer and electrical engineering. His goal is to build a career in the energy sector, utilizing this scholarship to invest in his education and gain experience that will help solve complex energy challenges, thereby contributing to cleaner, more efficient energy systems for growing urban populations.
Mobola Dosumu, an MBA student at the University of Houston's Bauer College of Business, is focusing her business studies on analytics and the energy transition. Her unique perspective is influenced by almost two decades of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. In her current role as National Sales Manager at MAN Energy Solutions, Mobola helps customers advance decarbonization through the application large-scale industrial heat pump solutions across North America. She plans to use the support from this scholarship to further her growth as a leader in energy sustainability, and to strengthen her connection to the district energy community. She spoke at IDEA2025, presenting on "Sustainable Energy for Electric Vehicle Production – MAN Energy Solution's Industrial Air-Sourced Heat Pump @ Scout Motors."
Felix Fiifi Ekuful is a Ph.D. student researching infrastructure and environmental systems at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he anticipates graduating in 2028. Felix's research focuses on enhancing energy efficiency in buildings through advanced control and optimization strategies. After gaining hands-on experience at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he plans to use the scholarship to advance his research on innovative energy management systems that reduce consumption and lower carbon emissions. He is passionate about leveraging technology to address global energy challenges and plans to pursue a faculty role in academia after graduation to help shape the next generation of energy engineers.
Tyler Kleinsasser, a dedicated student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, is deeply interested in construction and engineering. After graduation, he aims for a challenging career, eventually starting his own company, and aspires to mentor the next generation in growth, development, and sustainability.
Joshua McConnell, a student at San Jacinto College, is completing his core coursework before planning to transfer to Liberty University for a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering technology. Engineering has been a long-time passion for Joshua, who also works in sales at Zwick Valves, gaining valuable industry insight. With this scholarship, Joshua hopes to broaden his connections within the industry and advance to a leadership role or even start his own firm one day.
John Anthony Rauker Steinbergs recently defended his Master of Science thesis in mechanical engineering at The Pennsylvania State University, focusing on thermochemical energy storage. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, John earned his bachelor's from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His studies continue to center on thermodynamics and heat transfer applied to thermal energy systems, with interests in buildings, combined heat and power, and district systems. Now joining Salas O'Brien as an energy modeling specialist, John plans to use this scholarship to pursue a BEMP certification, furthering his professional education.
Avery Vest, a rising senior at the University of Iowa studying chemical engineering and sociology, is passionate about environmental issues and has a growing interest in the energy sector after interning with KCL Engineering. With the support of this scholarship, she will focus on exploring additional internships in the energy sector and learn more about what types of careers in district energy may interest her.
Anne Wu is a chemical engineering student at the University of Iowa, set to graduate in Spring 2026. In addition to her interest in pursuing a career with an environmental focus, Anne's summer work at KCL Engineering inspired her to apply for this scholarship. She aims to dedicate more time to her academic development and a role on the American Institute of Chemical Engineers board while continuing to work with KCL during the school year, ultimately hoping to pursue a dynamic and interdisciplinary career in consulting. Anne is passionate about applying technical knowledge to solve real-world problems with innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally conscious solutions.
The legacy of John Gray is not just in his remarkable scientific and engineering contributions but in his commitment to fostering talent and building community. These ten outstanding individuals, each with their unique passions and ambitious goals, are a testament to that legacy. They are indeed "the apple of our eye," and we eagerly anticipate the incredible contributions they will make to district energy and beyond.
The application process for the 2026 John Gray Scholarships will be officially announced in Q4 2025. Stay tuned for detailed information on eligibility, submission requirements, and key deadlines. We look forward to celebrating the next generation of innovators and leaders in district energy.
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