Blackhawk Technical College: Two students earn Grainger tools for tomorrow scholarships

November 13, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact: Gary Kohn (608) 757-7769 or cell (608) 436-9578

gkohn@blackhawk.edu



JANESVILLE, WI – Two Beloit based students are the latest Blackhawk Technical College recipients of the $2,000 Grainger Tools for Tomorrow scholarships.


Javier Sanchez, a Criminal Justice student, and Josh Murray, an Electro-Mechanical Technology student, were awarded the scholarships which provide financial assistance for tuition and books.



Students studying skilled trades and public safety programs at two-year technical and community colleges around the nation are eligible to compete for the scholarships.


Grainger, an international distributor of products used to maintain, repair and operate facilities with outlets in Janesville and Madison, has offered the scholarships since 2006. The company awarded 250 this year. Scholarship winners also will receive a customized Westward toolkit upon graduation.



Sanchez began his BTC career in the Nursing program and said Criminal Justice is a natural extension of his desire to be able to “give back to the community the way the community has given to me.’’



Sanchez said he has been “paying out of pocket’’ for his schooling and that the scholarship will “definitely take a lot of pressure off me.’’




Murray said the scholarship provides “a real sense of accomplishment for me. My high school performance was poor and this is a symbol of redemption for me.’’




The two BTC students were joined by Grainger representatives Jacob Chandler, the company’s Madison based marketing manager, and Kari Gates, a fleet specialist in the company’s Janesville office.



“Grainger is investing in the future of American industry and local communities through the scholarship program,’’ Chandler said. “We are proud to partner with Blackhawk Technical College and believe business and college partnerships are one solution to building a stronger workforce.’’



ABOUT BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Blackhawk Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System. BTC has five campus locations in Monroe, Beloit and Janesville, WI offering more than 50 programs including two-year associate degrees, one- and two-year technical diplomas and short-term technical diplomas. In addition, BTC is a major provider of customized training and technical assistance for the Rock and Green County business community. More than half of all adults living in Wisconsin have accessed the technical colleges for education and training during the last decade.