FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2004
CONTACT: Roland Ruiz, St. Philip's College Director of Community and Public Relations
210.531.3260
GUNN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, ACCD FOUNDATION AWARD TOOLS SCHOLARSHIPS TO 12 ST. PHILIP'S COLLEGE STUDENTS
A dozen St. Philip's College students are getting a helping hand from one of San Antonio's leading automotive industry employers as they begin their quest toward an automotive technology degree at the local community college this fall. The Gunn Automotive Group, through the Gunn Tools Scholarship Program and the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) Foundation, presented tools scholarships of approximately $600 each to twelve 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 Aug. 23, were presented the scholarships which will be used for the purchase of tools and equipment required for their training. This year's winners are: Alejandro Barrera, Mark Burch Jr., Adam Guerrero, Laura Hernandez, Matthew Hons, David C. McAndrew, Serapio A. Nieto, Derek W. Real, Jason S. Santos, Derek B. Velez, and Walter D. White.
"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 St. Philip's College and the ACCD to give future students the tools they will need to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in an increasingly technical, challenging and rewarding career field."
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 Tools Scholarship Program was started in 2002 as the result of 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. Gunn Automotive Group, through the Gunn Foundation managed by the San Antonio Area Community Foundation, has since given the ACCD Foundation its fourth $10,000 gift for this program, making the sum of Gunn's monetary contribution to the program to date $40,000.
St. Philip's College, one of the Alamo Community Colleges serving the greater Bexar County region, is a comprehensive community college designated as both a Historically Black College and a Hispanic Serving Institution. St. Philip's College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.