GNTC Foundation awards Gene Haas Scholarships

Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GNTC) students have received the Gene Haas Scholarship, which rewards academic excellence and provides financial support for students working toward a degree, diploma or certificate in the Precision Machining and Manufacturing program.

Jeshua Freeman, Floyd County Campus, and Jason Ward, Whitfield Murray Campus, have received the Gene Haas Scholarship for the fall 2023 semester.

The Gene Haas Foundation recently awarded $25,000 to GNTC to fund student scholarships and to help pay for textbooks or supplies for students who plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in a machining-based program. The grant funds cannot be used to purchase equipment, machines or simulators.

“We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the Gene Haas Foundation,” said Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC. “These funds will enable students in our Precision Machining and Manufacturing program to stay the course and be well-prepared to enter the workforce. We are so thankful for our partnership with the Gene Haas Foundation.”

“The primary mission of the Gene Haas Foundation is to partner with the best schools and training programs to introduce students to career opportunities, then provide scholarships and support to students in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology,” said Kathy Looman, director of Education, Haas Technical Education Conferences and Gene Haas Naming Grants. “These careers are rewarding with good pay and opportunities to grow with a company or to become an entrepreneur.”

Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, personally funds his foundation to support the future of manufacturing because he believes that manufacturing is the foundation of a strong economy, Looman said.

The Gene Haas Foundation presents a grant of $25,000 to GNTC on Thursday, Oct. 19. (From left) Dr. Heidi Popham, president of GNTC; David Aycock, sales engineer for Phillips Corporation/Haas Factory Outlet; GNTC student Jason Ward; Philip Shirley, Precision Machining and Manufacturing instructor; GNTC student Jeshua Freeman; and Bart Jenkins, director of Precision Machining and Manufacturing at GNTC, stand in front of a Haas VF2 Computer Numerical Control milling machine at the Floyd County Campus in Rome. Freeman and Ward received scholarships this semester that are funded through the Gene Haas Foundation grant.

“A recent survey polling students taking their SAT tests found that 53% of high school seniors don’t believe that they will have an opportunity to have a good job,” Looman said. “The manufacturing industry has thousands of great jobs just waiting to be filled.”

GNTC awards Gene Haas Scholarships for $1,000 each fall, spring and summer semester.

Georgia Northwestern Technical College provides quality workforce education to the citizens of northwest Georgia. Students have the opportunity to earn an associate degree, diploma or a certificate in aviation, business, health, industrial or public service career paths. This past year, 11,601 people benefited from GNTC’s credit and noncredit programs. GNTC has an annual credit enrollment of 8,071 students and an additional enrollment of 3,530 people through adult education, continuing education, business and industry training and Georgia Quick Start. GNTC is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and an Equal Opportunity Institution. 

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Catherine Edgemon Marketing Media Specialist