Last year, Hobart Institute of Welding Technology was privileged to announce the availability of several new scholarships to attend Hobart Institute of Welding Technology that would be presented in 2006 through The Troy Foundation.  The recipients of these scholarships were named on May 1.

Receiving the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology Alumni Scholarship is Michael Rother of Des Moines, Iowa.  Michael will begin the nine-month Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program on September 25.  This scholarship was established through the generosity of HIWT Alumnus Doug Longenecker.

“I feel honored and privileged to be able to provide support to the Hobart Institute.  I feel this is truly where I got my start,” says Doug.  “HIWT has provided me with the foundation to create and maintain my company.”    

Michael is a 2006 graduate of Hoover High School where he was enrolled in the welding program.  “Welding satisfies my creativity as well as my work ethic,” he says. “I want to have a job that I am proud of and enjoy.”

Among other projects during high school, Michael constructed a 30-ft. walking bridge over a creek. 

The William B. and Marcia H. Howell Scholarship is awarded to Craig Foster of Ellington, Missouri.  Craig is enrolled in the nine-month Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program and is scheduled to begin August 28, 2006. 

“Both of our parents’ lives were tightly intertwined in Hobart Brothers Company,” says Deborah (Howell) Kurd.  “They believed in and supported the welding industry and were both strong believers in education and affording opportunity to those wishing to participate in its advancement.  By offering the scholarship in their memory, we feel we are furthering their commitment.”

Craig also earned a Rhodes Scholarship, the Leroy Dunn Memorial Scholarship from the Southern Reynolds County R-II School District United Staff Members, an MFA Scholarship, the Gary Hanger Memorial Scholarship, an Ellington Rotary Club Scholarship, all from his home town. 

Craig was senior class president and is a graduate of Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center where he was enrolled in the welding program.  He is a student member of the American Welding Society. 

“Craig has had perfect attendance [at Poplar Bluff TCC].  Craig has shown not only great work ethics,” says welding instructor Ron Pratt, “but has also shown tremendous leadership qualities.”

“My ultimate goal is to be able to come back to Ellington and open a welding / fabrication shop of my own,” says Craig.

David Chambers of New Carlisle, Ohio, is named as the recipient of the David Via Memorial Scholarship that was established by the family of the long-time HIWT welding instructor.  It will apply toward tuition.

“We chose this way to continue David’s legacy by having an impact on future students,” says Mrs. Donna Via.

While taking welding at Springfield-Clark County JVS, David has been applying his welding skills at Roger Winget Racecars and at Arctech Fabricating. 

“I strive to be best at what I do and will not settle for anything less,” says David.  “Welding is more than laying down a perfect bead; it is interpreting blueprints, fabrication, understanding the task at hand, and thinking outside the box,” he continues.  “I am continually pushing myself to hone my skills and become a better welder.”

J. Brian Massie, Welding Instructor at Springfield-Clark JVS, says, “David was the first student from the Welding Program to be inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior.  He not only has become a leader in my welding program, but also a role model for other students.” 

Massie instills in his students, “Your weld is your signature.”  It carries with it your reputation and lets employers know what you can do. 

David Chambers plans to eventually pursue welding engineering with a future goal to open his own business in racing applications, customizing and restoring cars.

Two scholarships, the David Smith Award, named for the famous sculptor, painter, and draftsman, and the Peter C. Hobart Weldworld Award are granted through the generosity of Peter C. Hobart.   Kyle Sebring of Milton, Indiana, and Joshua Byer of New Haven, West Virginia are the recipients and will apply the funds toward tuition for the nine-month Combination Structural and Pipe Welding Program.

Sebring is a graduate of Lincoln High School and Whitewater Technical Career Center. 

At the time he applied for this scholarship, Kyle was already enrolled at Hobart Institute. 

“The classes here are more intense than any that I’ve had before,” he explains.  “The instructors really push the students to become better welders.  They don’t just push skill; they also push for welding knowledge.  The instructors take time to help the students get better and learn more.  Since I have been at Hobart, my welding knowledge and skill have greatly increased.”

Joshua Byer is a 2006 graduate of Wahama High School and Mason County Vocational Career Center. 

“I have dyslexia and going to class was usually a struggle for me,” says Joshua.  “But when I put on a welding hood, I don’t have any disabilities.  For the first time, I was the best in my class with the highest grades.” 

His teachers describe Joshua as being “dependable,” “considerate,” “compassionate,” “professional,” “polite,” and “respectful.”

“I believe that Josh will dedicate himself to this study and will make a promising career in this industry,” says Roger D. Rainey, Principal of Wahama High School. 

Hobart Brothers Company is the benefactor of two scholarships for area students.  West Milton, Ohio, resident Brandon Warner and Nicole Tuttle of New Lebanon, Ohio, are utilizing these awards toward their tuition.

“Brandon invests quality time in the events that mean something to him,” says Heather Galentine, English teacher and advisor to the West Milton High School Class of 2006.  “He cares deeply about people and making something of himself as he graduates form high school and moves into the adult, working world.” 

“I have had to work hard for everything I have ever wanted,” says Brandon.  “I chose welding as a career because I know that whatever I do, I will be able to make it.”

A 2006 graduate of Dixie High School, Nicole Tuttle says, “I began welding with my father at home, while learning to work on cars.  I began to consider welding as part of my career while attending the Miami Valley Career Technology Center in the Motorcycle Service Technology program.” 

“My father is in the process of starting an automotive repair and customs shop and I will be working for him.  Many jobs require a multitude of different welding techniques, especially in the restoring and customizing of classic cars,” Nicole continues.  “My goal in attending Hobart is to achieve the knowledge of how many metals react with heat, their abilities to weld with other metals, the ability to make strong welds and to become a certified welder.”

At Dixie High School, Nicole has been active as a cheerleader of two sports and has excelled in art while maintaining an above average academic standing. 

“Nicole is assertive, independent and views challenges in terms of problem solving opportunities,” says Marti Birch, Counselor at Dixie.  “She approaches life with determination.  She is a person of integrity and has high expectations for herself.  She is able to work well in a team situation.”

An independent selection committee of The Troy Foundation reviews applications and makes the awards in May of each year.  Students may use the scholarships only toward tuition for any program of welding training at the Hobart Institute.  Unused portions of any scholarship will be returned to the fund within the Troy Foundation for use by future scholarship winners.   

“The welding industry is in need of skilled welders to fill new positions and replace workers who are retiring.  These scholarships will provide financial assistance to young men and women who may not otherwise be able to afford welding training,” says Ron Scott, Vice President and General Manager.  “By completing skill training, these people become excellent contributors to the workforce with the ability to earn above average salaries.”

Please visit the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology web site to obtain applications for these scholarships for 2007:  http://www.welding.org/scholarship-form.html.

The Troy Foundation manages funds of $52 million dollars that are granted to educational, benevolent, religious, or charitable uses.   Established in 1924, The Foundation holds over 150 established funds that provide services to the Troy community.
The Troy Foundation, 910 West Main Street, Troy, Ohio 45373 U.S.A.
http://www.thetroyfoundation.org

Hobart Brothers Company of Troy, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of welding filler metals marketed under the brand names Hobart, Tri-Mark, McKay and Corex.  Hobart Brothers Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., Glenview, Ill., a diversified multinational manufacturer of highly engineered components, assemblies and systems.  McKay is a world leader in hard-surfacing welding products, low alloy electrodes, and mild steel electrodes and wires.
http://www.hobartbrothers.com

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, established in 1930, is dedicated to welding training and education excellence and is a nonprofit educational facility located at 400 Trade Square East, Troy, OH 45373 U.S.A
1-800-332-9448
hiwt@welding.org
http://www.welding.org