Contact: Gary Kohn (608) 757-7769 or cell (608) 436-9578
Grainger awards scholarships to Blackhawk Technical College
students in support of skilled trades
JANESVILLE, WI – Two Blackhawk Technical College students will be recognized this Thursday (October 31) by W.W. Grainger, Inc., as winners of a Grainger Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship.
Paul Purdy, who is in Blackhawk’s Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program, and James Jass, who is studying Electro-Mechanical Technology, will receive their $2,000 award in the BTC Atrium on the Central Campus at noon.
“Grainger is investing in the future of industry and communities through the Tools for Tomorrow Scholarship program,” said Bill Koenig, Grainger Vice President, U.S. Mergers and Acquisitions, Specialty Brands. “We are proud to partner with Blackhawk Technical College and believe business and technical college partnerships are one solution to building a stronger workforce.”
Purdy and Jass, both of Janesville, also are eligible to receive a $2,000 toolkit upon their graduations from BTC.
Grainger launched the scholarship program in 2006 in conjunction with the American Association of Community Colleges to assist students of the industrial skill trades realize their educational and career goals. Grainer will award scholarships to 129 students from 70 schools this year, with about half of those scholarships targeted to veterans. Purdy and Jass are two of four Wisconsin students to earn scholarships.
ABOUT GRAINGER
Grainger is North America’s leading broad line supplier of maintenance, repair and operating products. Grainger has offices in Janesville and Rockford, and its headquarters is in Lake Forest, Ill.
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.
