PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
12/18/2014
Photo Attached
Contact:
Sherry Abrams, Director of Public Relations
(706) 583-2552, [email protected]
Grainger Awards Scholarships to Athens Technical College Students in
Support of Skilled Trades and Public Safety
ATHENS, GA (12/18/2014) – Two students from Athens Technical College (ATC), Jacob Puche
and Levi Patterson, were each recently awarded a $2,000 Grainger Tools for Tomorrow®
scholarship by Grainger, a local distributor of products used to maintain, repair or operate
facilities. The scholarship program offers financial assistance for tuition and books to 250
outstanding students each year who are earning associate degrees or certificates in skilled
trade and public safety programs at 125 community colleges across the country. Students also
receive a customized Westward® toolkit upon graduation to jump start their career.
Puche, an Automotive Technology student from Commerce, Ga., credits the scholarship
opportunity with “opening new doors to continue his education.” Upon completion of the
Automotive Technology program he also plans to work toward an associate degree in Technical
Business Management. He cites this additional education as a pathway to help him form a nonprofit organization fixing cars for those who cannot afford car care.
Patterson also cited the opportunities he will have by receiving the scholarship. He is an
Electrical Systems Technology student from Jefferson, Ga.
Grainger is proud to partner with community colleges and help students get the education and
resources they need to successfully join the workforce. Students also receive a customized
Westward® toolkit upon graduation to jump start their career.
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Grainger and the many benefits that it provides
to our students,” said Susan Larson, dean of ATC Technical and Industrial division. “The
partnership assists Athens Technical College students far beyond helping pay for their
education, as it also provides them with the tools needed to start their careers once they
complete their academic program. We are proud of our students and extremely appreciative of
Grainger’s partnership and support.”
“Grainger is investing in the future of American industry and local communities through the
Grainger Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship Program,” said Walter Wellborn, Grainger Market
Manager in Athens. “We are proud to partner with Athens Technical College and believe
Tools for Tomorrow - Page 2
business and community college partnerships are one solution to building a stronger
workforce.”
About Grainger’s Tools for Tomorrow® Scholarship Program: To promote the innovation and
importance of careers in public safety and the industrial skilled trades, Grainger, in partnership
with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), launched the Grainger Tools for
Tomorrow scholarship program in 2006 to help students realize their educational and career
goals. The scholarship is offered to 125 community colleges. Since its inception, Grainger has
awarded nearly 800 scholarships, half of those earmarked for veterans of the U.S. Armed
Forces. Click here to learn more about Grainger’s Tool for Tomorrow Program.
About Grainger: W.W. Grainger, Inc., with 2013 sales of $9.4 billion, is North America's leading
broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products, with operations in Asia,
Europe and Latin America.
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.
Photo Caption: Two Athens Technical College students
recently received Grainger Tools for Tomorrow®
scholarships. L-R: Jeff Hill, Automotive Technology
program chair; Walter Wellborn, Grainger Market
Manager; Jacob Puche, scholarship recipient; Dr. Dan
Smith, Executive Vice President/Chief Academic Officer;
Levi Patterson, scholarship recipient; Quinton Phillips,
Electrical Systems Technology program chair.
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