Reid Croft, an
energy land management major from Morgantown, is the 2019 Outstanding Senior
for the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources.
With a keen interest in the oil and gas industry, Croft quickly found a home in the
energy land management program.
“Being a student in the energy land management program at WVU has been a great experience
for me,” he said. “Over the past four years, this program has helped to guide me
in the direction of success and educate me in land as it pertains to the oil and
gas industry. I have had access to several learning experiences and opportunities
which ultimately led to scholarships, internships, and a job offer upon graduation.”
Croft had the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research and intern with companies
like West Land Services and Southwestern Energy.
The
Honors College student also served as president of the Energy Land Management
Association.
Following graduation, he plans to work as a surface landman for Southwestern Energy.
Why did you choose your major?
I always had an interest in the field of natural resources, particularly oil and
gas, and I really had no interest in being a petroleum engineer. Energy Land Management
was the perfect fit as it is an interesting line of work that is in the industry
I am interested in.
What has been your most meaningful experience in the Davis College?
The most meaningful experience I have had in the Davis College been the opportunity
to be the president of the Energy Land Management Association. It has given me
the opportunity to learn valuable lessons in leadership and mentoring younger students
in the program.
If you could trade places with one person for a day, who would it be and why?
One person I would love to trade places with for a day would be Elon Musk. To have
an inside look at what it is like to run companies such as Tesla and SpacEx would
be incredible. To see his daily routines and to find out techniques he uses for
productivity would be priceless.
Was there a professor or staff member who impacted you more than others? If so,
who and why?
A professor that had a unique impact on me was Dr.
Shawn Grushecky. He helped me through contracting honors courses, scholarships,
president of the Energy Land Management Association, and internships. Not to mention
taking me to the North American Prospect Expo (NAPE) in Houston, Texas, both my
junior and senior years. He has been especially impactful through my college career.