The Collision Repair Education Foundation recently announced that eight students will receive scholarships funded by the PPG Foundation. Each recipient will be awarded financial contributions that will help to fund their education and provide workforce development that enables them to have a more hands-on learning experience and prepares them for a successful career in the automotive collision repair industry.
PPG Foundation funds scholarships through Collision Repair Education Foundation
This year’s outcome has a unique connection to PPG as each student has a special interest in the painting segment of the industry.
“These scholarships aim to offer students interested in the automotive collision repair industry a pathway to the prosperous workforce this field enables. Through our partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, we are proud to expand the future opportunities for these passionate students through career preparation and an arena to excel academically,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility.
PPG and the PPG Foundation have been long-time partners with the Collision Repair Education Foundation since 2011. This year’s recipients of the PPG student scholarships include:
- Kristi Barnes (Guilford Technical Community College – Jamestown, NC)
“This scholarship grant will make a difference in my life as it puts me ahead for my future. I am able to purchase the tools that I need to help me be as successful as I can be.” - Johnathan Bayolima (New York Automotive and Diesel Institute – Queens, NY)
“This allows me to be financially responsible and relieves the stress of other financial obligations, allowing me to focus on my career so that I can excel in my field.” - Nick Brown (Lewis-Clark State College – Lewiston, ID)
“This scholarship grant will make a difference in my life by eliminating the rest of my student loans and allowing me to purchase tools, which will enable me to be much quicker, more efficient and produce quality lasting work.” - Demetri Gregory (New York Automotive and Diesel Institute – Queens, NY)
“This scholarship grant will make a difference in my life by relieving financial stress so I can focus more on my academics and passion behind what I do within my Collision major. Moreover, when I graduate from NYADI, The College of Transportation Technology and start working in the field, I will be able to work efficiently without a constant weight on my shoulders revolving around the monetary obligation of student loans. This award will allow me to target my dedication around excelling on vehicles and increase my productivity to ensure optimal results in either my business or working for a well-known company.” - Kassie McMahon (Dunwoody College of Technology – Minneapolis, MN)
“This scholarship takes away all of my financial worries and I am able to focus on starting the interview process and graduating in a couple months. I am so grateful and I cannot wait to see what my future holds.” - Hanna Selzler (Lewis-Clark State College – Lewiston, ID)
“This scholarship grant will make a difference in my life because I will be able to continue my education and become the best I can be in the industry.” - Martell Wilson (Kennedy-King College – Chicago, IL)
“This scholarship will make a difference in my life by giving me the opportunity to be the best that I can be. I have watched generations in my family build and rebuild automobiles on a day-to-day basis and I always knew that I wanted to have a career in doing the same thing. This scholarship means so much to me that words cannot express how the help that you’re giving me will continue to change my life forever. With your help and generosity, I will be able to finish school out strong and with confidence and will be able to inspire young men like myself to follow their dreams and never give up.” - Aristeo Gutierrez (Kennedy-King College – Chicago, IL)
“In the past year, students have faced many hardships due to the pandemic and we’ve had to pivot to ensure that successful and meaningful learning still remained a top priority. We are grateful for the support from industry leaders like PPG and the PPG Foundation, who see the importance of learning through tangible career experiences and preparing our students for the field,” said Melissa Marscin, director of operations and administration, Collision Repair Education Foundation.
The Collision Repair Education Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.