PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Photo Attached
7/14/2014
Contact:
Sherry Abrams, Director of Public Relations
(706) 583-2552, [email protected]
The Grainger Foundation Supports Athens Tech Foundation, Inc.
ELBERTON, GA (7/15/2014) – The Grainger Foundation, an independent, private foundation
located in Lake Forest, Illinois, has donated $5,000 to the Athens Tech Foundation, Inc. in
support of the Diesel Equipment Technology program based at the college’s Elbert County
Campus.
“This grant will be used to purchase an air brake system trainer,” said Charles Dawson, program
chair for the Athens Technical College Diesel Equipment Technology program. “This trainer
utilizes state-of-the-art technology to prepare students for the work place. There is a
tremendous demand for our graduates, and enrollment in the program continues to grow.
We’re grateful to The Grainger Foundation for its support, which helps us meet the growing
demands of business and industry.”
“Graduates of the Diesel Equipment Technology program are being employed by major
companies located throughout Georgia and the surrounding states,” said Dr. Flora Tydings,
president of Athens Technical College. “I could not be more proud of the success of this
program and the outstanding way it is meeting the needs of our business and industry partners.
I am deeply grateful to Grainger for standing with us as a strong partner in workforce
development.”
This donation was recommended by Walter Wellborn, market manager of W.W. Grainger,
Inc.’s, Athens, Ga. location. Grainger has been a part of the Athens/Elberton business
community for more than 18 years as the leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair,
and operating products.
“We are proud to recommend the programs offered by Athens Technical College,” said
Wellborn. “We understand the need for skilled tradesmen and women to keep their businesses
afloat, and we in turn rely on these businesses to keep our infrastructure sound and our local
economy healthy and viable.”
The Grainger Foundation, an independent, private foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois, was
established in 1949 by William W. Grainger, founder of W.W. Grainger, Inc.
MORE
Page 2 – The Grainger Foundation presents donation
For further information about Grainger contact:
Joseph Micucci, Director, Media Relations at [email protected]
For further information about Athens Technical College, contact: Sherry Abrams, Director of
Public Relations, at 706-583-2552 or [email protected] or about the Diesel Equipment
Technology program contact: Mr. Charles Dawson, Program Chair, at 706-213-2016 or
[email protected]
About Athens Technical College: Since 1958, Athens Technical College has served citizens by
providing quality educational programs in a 10-county service area. It offers over 150 program
specializations in business, health, technical, and manufacturing-related areas. Students attend
Athens Technical College on five campuses (Athens-Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Walton Counties
plus the Athens Community Career Academy), Adult Learning Centers, and through Continuing
Education opportunities. Athens Technical College is an Equal Opportunity Institution and a
unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. To learn more about Athens Technical College
visit www.AthensTech.edu.
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Photo caption: The Grainger Foundation presented a $5,000 check to the Athens Tech Foundation to
help purchase equipment for the Diesel Equipment Technology program.
(left to right) Charles Dawson, Diesel Equipment Technology program chair; Walter Wellborn, W.W.
Grainger, Inc.’s Athens market manager; Dr. Larry Siefferman, Vice President for Off-campus Operations;
Nathan Major, Diesel Equipment Technology instructor.
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