New endowment established at West Shore Community College to help students with issues “beyond tuition and books”

West Shore Community College has received a $25,000 donation from the Manistee Manufacturer’s Council to create an endowment that will provide financial assistance to students who are studying engineering or pursuing a skilled trade when barriers to their education may arise. The endowment was established via the West Shore Community College Foundation.

According to an article on West Shore Community College’s website, Scott Ward, the college’s president, was quoted as saying of the endowment, “This generous donation will provide scholarships annually to students who require assistance beyond tuition and books. It’s essential for donors to understand that today’s students face challenges that were less prevalent in the past, and we are thankful for their commitment to addressing these needs.”

The endowment was designed in such a way to be flexible enough to provide assistance to students facing any number of stressful challenges that could stand in the way of receiving their education; for example, food insecurity, inadequate access to childcare, or unreliable transportation.

Robert Gutowski of Martin Marietta Magnesia Specialties, LLC, spoke about the importance of manufacturing and skilled trade students being able to continue their education. He is quoted as saying of the endowment, “Manufacturing jobs form the backbone of a thriving community like Manistee, offering residents well-paying positions with substantial benefits. Our goal with this endowment is to ensure that students entering the manufacturing field receive the support they need, creating a sustainable workforce for the future.”

For more information about West Shore Community College, visit the school’s website.