• Grainger Awards Final Scholarships for 2006

    Nov. 1, 2006
    Grainger, a distributor of facilities maintenance supplies across North America, recently awarded three remaining 2006 scholarships to technical education

    Grainger, a distributor of facilities maintenance supplies across North America, recently awarded three
    remaining 2006 scholarships to technical education students in Illinois, Ohio
    and Maryland, completing the first year of the company's Tools for Tomorrow
    scholarship program. The program provides funding for students at select
    community colleges to finish their second year in a technical career program.
    "As we conclude our inaugural year of the Tools for Tomorrow scholarship
    program, we are proud to support these exceptional students as they
    progress in their education," says James T. Ryan, President, Grainger.
    "The students of today represent the future of the technical professions."
    Earlier this year, Grainger and the American Association of Community
    Colleges partnered to launch Grainger's Tools for Tomorrow scholarship
    program, designed to help students in technical education who have
    demonstrated drive, commitment and leadership realize their educational
    goals. The pilot program awarded outstanding students at seven institutions
    across the country with a scholarship for their second year of college and a
    specialized tool package upon successful completion of the program.

    The final 2006 scholarships were awarded to Fernando Gomez of Waukegan,
    Ill., in automotive technology; Brandon Bogle of Milford, Ohio, in electrical
    engineering; and Troy Hastings of Baltimore in construction management.

    Tools for Tomorrow recipient Fernando Gomez is an automotive technology
    student at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Ill. As the first person in
    his family to attend college, Gomez has demonstrated his commitment to
    education with a 3.7 grade point average and proven his leadership skills as
    president of the Latino Alliance and as a member of the Automaniacs Club,
    which prepared community members' cars for the winter.

    Grainger also honored Cincinnati State Technical and Community College
    student Brandon Bogle. According to his instructors, Bogle is "an aggressive
    learner who clearly demonstrates his commitment to excel academically."
    With his 3.7 grade point average and a consistent place on the Dean's List,
    Bogle balances his electrical engineering courses with a full time job and a
    family of six, while managing to tutor fellow students and participate in a co-
    op job for a local IT department.
    The final 2006 scholarship recipient is a student at the Community College of
    Baltimore County–Catonsville. Troy Hastings' interest in construction grew
    out of his family's involvement in the field and the opportunity to participate
    in the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee's electrical program.
    Five years later, Hastings is the first construction management student to be
    awarded a Construction Crafts Professional Certificate at CCBC–Catonsville
    while simultaneously earning his Master Electrical license and a 3.62 grade
    point average.
    Earlier this year, Grainger also awarded these four students with Tools for
    Tomorrow scholarships:
    * Michael Guido in architecture and construction at Henry Ford Community
    College in Dearborn, Mich.;
    * Amanda Korte in construction technology at St. Louis Community College;
    * Stuart Nielsen in welding fabrication at South Seattle Community College;
    * Margaret Braswell in construction management and construction technology
    at North Lake College in Irving, Texas.
    "Students enrolled in technical career programs will help to meet a serious
    and growing skills gap in our country," said American Association of
    Community Colleges President George R. Boggs. "By stepping up to recognize
    their potential, Grainger is not only helping deserving students, but they are
    also investing in our nation's continuing economic success."
    Grainger currently operates more than 400 branches in local markets across
    the U.S.