Owensboro Community and Technical College receives gift for student and program support
The college has received $25,000 from Domtar, formerly Paper Excellence Group, to support three key initiatives.
Owensboro Community and Technical College has received $25,000 from Domtar, formerly Paper Excellence Group, to be used in support of three initiatives at the school. The money will be put toward student support, program support, and to sponsor a Trade Wars event.
According to an article on Owensboro Community and Technical College’s website, Sydney Warren, who serves as the Executive Director of the OCTC Foundation and the Chief Institutional Advancement Officer for OCTC, was quoted as saying of the gift from Domtar, “We are incredibly grateful to Domtar for their generous gift. This contribution will have a profound impact on our students and programs, providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to confidently enter their career."
Echoing these sentiments, the college’s president, Dr. Scott Williams, said, "Domtar's support is a testament to their commitment to education and community development. This gift will enhance our ability to provide high-quality education and training to our students, preparing them for successful careers in their chosen fields. We are excited about the opportunities this funding will create."
The three initiatives that will split the gift from Domtar include a sponsorship for the college’s Trade Wars event, a Craftsman Closet, and equipment needs for the Industrial Maintenance program.
The Trade Wars event sponsorship will see Domtar acting as a $5,000 Presenting Sponsor level donor. Trade Wars gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and compete against other students.
The Craftsman Closet will be established with $10,000 of the Domtar gift, and will be an area stocked with professional grade tools available for any student in a skilled trades program. The Craftsman Closet will give each student access to the types of tools they need to learn hands-on skills in their chosen industry.
The Industrial Maintenance program will also receive $10,000 from Domtar to upgrade its equipment. The funding will purchase laser alignment tools for shaft alignment, which is essential for students who are learning how to repair industrial machinery.
Speaking of the impact the donation will have on the Industrial Maintenance program, Sean Steele, program coordinator, said, "These Laser Shaft Alignment tools will provide students the opportunity for hands-on experience with the tools they will be using on the job, and will better prepare students for the increasingly technology-driven industry they will enter upon graduation."
Murray Hewitt, who serves as the General Manager of Domtar Hawesville Mill, explained how the partnership the company has with Owensboro Community and Technical College is beneficial for everyone involved. He said, "OCTC not only provides an exemplary complement to our apprenticeship program but also significantly enhances our local area's capacity to supply highly skilled labor at an unprecedented level.”
For more information about Owensboro Community and Technical College, visit the school’s website.