FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2003
CONTACT: Roland Ruiz, St. Philip's College Director of Community and Public Relations
210.733.2147
GUNN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, ACCD FOUNDATION AWARD TOOLS SCHOLARSHIPS TO 11 ST. PHILIP'S COLLEGE STUDENTS
A special group of St. Philip's College students are receiving a helping hand from one of the area's leading automotive
industry employers as they begin their education in automotive technology this fall. Through the Gunn Tools Scholarship
Program, the Gunn Automotive Group and the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) Foundation, presented tools scholarships
to eleven St. Philip's College students during an awards ceremony held on the school's main campus today.
The students, who will be enrolled in the St. Philip's College Automotive Technology Program when the fall semester begins
later this month, were presented with a scholarship of approximately $600 each for the purchase of tools and equipment
required for their training.
The Gunn Tools Scholarship Program is made possible by a $30,000 investment by the Gunn Automotive Group and a matching
gift by the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) Foundation for a total of $60,000. The Gunn Tools Scholarship Program
is open to graduating high school seniors wishing to pursue post-secondary training in automotive technology at St.
Philip's College. Application packages are available from the St. Philip's College
Automotive Technology Department by calling 531-3571. Recipients are
announced at a formal awards ceremony each August.
"The Gunn Scholarship was established out of a profound commitment that we share at Gunn Automotive to ongoing
professional development within the automotive technology industry," said Paul Young, Gunn Automotive vice president.
"We recognize the high standards of the St. Philip's College Automotive Technology Program and its graduates' record of
achievement, and are proud to partner with such a program to give future students the tools they will need to build a
solid foundation in an increasingly technical, challenging and rewarding career field."
St. Philip's College is a Historically Black College and Hispanic Serving Institution of the Alamo Community College
District, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
2003 ACCD/Gunn Scholarship Winners:
Joseph C. Araujo
Araujo has been interested in automobiles since he was a
young child. At the age of sixteen, his parents purchased a 1964 Chevy Impala and immediately he spent his time on
restoring his car. He loves to repair things, and while working on damaged vehicles he encountered that you need the
right tools to get the job accomplished. Without the proper tools in automotive you sometimes can do more damage than
good. Joseph is currently enrolled in Automotive Technology and wishes to fulfill his education and career in
automotive with his wife and two children.
Matthew L. Castro
Castro is a May 2002 graduate of La Vernia High School.
He is enrolled in 15 hours here at St. Philip's College in the Automotive Technology Program. Presently, Mr. Castro
is employed with Chevrolet, where he started at the bottom mopping floors. Now, he can diagnosis and repair vehicles
and works as a technician on the oil change rack. Ever since he got his first truck, a 1977 Chevrolet, he has loved to
work on vehicles.
Craig C. Hernandez
Hernandez is President of the Auto Technician VICA Club;
last year he was the Treasurer of the VICA Club. His goal is to work as an
L7 technician and to become a teacher in Auto Tech. He hopes to one day open his own auto shop and strive to be
successful.
John C. Hons
Hons loves to take engines apart, fix them and make them work
again. He also enjoys working on boat motors, lawn mower engines, trucks, and computers.
Kimberly Howard
Howard is this year's only female scholarship recipient.
She is enrolled in 12 hours for the fall 2003 semester.
Michael S. Khan
Khan started working on vehicles ever since he purchased his
Mustang. Michael grew to love working on his car. Though he started
college concentrating on a Business Management degree first, he thought since he loved working on cars, why not get a
degree in Automotive Technology and then finish his Business Management Degree later. He hopes to one day open his own
automotive repair shop.
Brandon P. Laskowski
Laskowski wishes to become successful and to work his
way up to management in a dealership setting.
Bryce P. Moczygemba
Moczygemba plans to enter the world of computerized
automotive repairs. He loves working with machines and computers. His main career goal in automotive technology is to
make sure people will be driving a safe vehicle.
Pioquinto Narvaez
As a young child, Narvaez grew up working on cars with his
father. At the age of nine his father passed away. In high school Pioquinto was classified as an at-risk student because
his mother was a single parent. With this in mind, he continued his education and proved he was not an at-risk student.
He graduated high school in 2000 and is enrolled in 12 hours at St. Philip's College.
Steve Perez
Perez wishes to rebuild a motor by himself, install it into a
vehicle and see it actually drive off. His goal is to graduate from St. Philip's College and work with a dealership. He
wants to be the best automotive technician there is and be able to work on every part of a motor
vehicle. Another goal is to make his parents happy; for his parents to
know that he will do something productive with his life.
David J. Wiatrek
Wiatrek wants a career where he can have a sense of
satisfaction from servicing automobiles -- something he can take pride in. He also wants to raise a family with the same
morals he was brought up with.