Four students enrolled in Columbus Technical College’s Welding & Joining Technology and HVAC programs are representing their programs well as they have each been awarded $425 in scholarship funds. The monies may be used for any program-specific need including tools, supplies, books, tuition, and/or testing fees. The funds are part of a generous donation through the Grainger Foundation. The winners hail from Harris and Muscogee Counties, as well as Fort Benning.

The Grainger Foundation has been providing scholarship funds to Columbus Tech students since 2010. Including this presentation, 59 students have been served and approximately $50,000 in assistance has been awarded. To qualify, the student must currently be enrolled in the Welding & Joining Technology, Automotive, HVAC, or Auto Collision program and have maintained a 3.0GPA. The application requires an essay describing their goals and how the scholarship will help attain them.

Welding student Wilmer Escorcia of Columbus holds a GPA of 4.0, is a husband, father and military veteran.

“My passion for welding started when I was twenty one years old in the battlefields of Fallujah, Iraq as an active duty member of the United States Marine Corps,” Escorcia wrote. “I was part of a maintenance shop and assisted in many welding projects. I have always enjoyed working with my hands and being able to transform an image from paper to a fabricated functional piece is extraordinary.”

Austin Eastman of Shiloh (Harris County) knew he wanted to pursue a career which challenged his technical know-how and love for hands-on learning. Being behind a desk in an office wasn’t for him but the HVAC program seemed like the perfect fit. Once he completes this program, Eastman plans to continue his education at Columbus Technical College and work in his field of choice.

“I plan to graduate in August of 2016,” Eastman wrote in his essay. “Then, I plan to obtain my Applied Technical Management Associate’s Degree. My goals are to apprentice under an established HVAC contractor to gain the necessary hands-on knowledge, then work for an HVAC company…and, finally, to start my own HVAC business.”

Zane Harvey of Fort Benning is a welding student who didn’t have to look far to find role models in his chosen field.

“My inspiration to become a welder was from my grandfather and uncle,” Harvey recalled. “At a young age, I observed the way they performed metal fabrication and the success that they achieved. I was raised to never give up no matter what happens. If I have a goal, I will accomplish it no matter the obstacle.”

In his essay, military veteran Terry Bush of Columbus wrote about his love for country and helping others. He feels his experience and education will take him a long way toward the latter. His plan is to pay it forward.

“This scholarship will assist me in achieving a milestone in which I can begin to help others by offering employment opportunities to graduates and others needing support for their families,” Bush said.

Congratulations to all! While this cycle of winners marked the end of this particular scholarship, Columbus Technical College is allowed to re-apply for the funds after two years.