It’s been over a year since the college closed in April 2020 in the face of an unexpected epidemic. However, many businesses continued to operate and needed a trained workforce. Community members still wanted technical skills training. As a result, the college cautiously reopened in May 2020 with every possible safety measure in place.
We learned that emergencies of today don’t stop the needs of tomorrow, and the only way through is forward. Fortunately, the college has donors who provided scholarships and emergency COVID relief funding in support of students.
Courtney received a scholarship and noted, “I had crossed my fingers that I could finish the Cosmetology program when I graduated high school, but COVID, of course, postponed that plan a little bit. So thank you for helping me out with this scholarship!”
Ryan received emergency COVID relief funding provided through a donation from Robert and Marcia Harris. Ryan had been working in sales and service for the last 13 years and was doing very well. Ryan shared, “I had no intention of getting a trade skill until COVID-19 hit. My company decided to make some changes, and I ended up losing my commission pay. I realized I needed a specialized skill set. This funding will help pay for not only school but help me keep my house and food on the table.”
Funding also helps remove stress from students so they can focus on their studies. Rachel received Harris emergency funds and related, “When the Financial Aid Office told me of this funding, I was beyond thrilled and so grateful…like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.”
We’ve all learned valuable lessons during this past year. Be kind. Don’t give up. And most importantly, help others when you can.
The following gifts were received in the first quarter of 2021:
- America First Credit Union – Student Support Services
- Ascent Credit Union – Student Support Services
- Bio-Med Engineering, Inc. – Student Support Services
- Capstone Nutrition – Student Support Services
- CleanWorks – Student Support Services
- CTI Construction – Student Support Services
- Davis County Maintenance – In-kind – HVAC Technology program
- EnableUtah – Student Support Services
- Robert and Marcia Harris – YouthBuild program
- Hughes General Contractors – Student Support Services
- Kozco General Contractors – Student Support Services
- Marriner S. Eccles Foundation – Scholarships
- Petersen Incorporated – Student Support Services
- R&O Construction – Student Support Services
- Revere Health Family Medicine and Urgent Care – In-kind – Medical Assistant program
- Larrie Rhineheart – Martin J. Whitnack Welding Scholarship
- Richards Sheet Metal Works, Inc. – Student Support Services
- Sally Langdon Barefoot Foundation – Scholarships
- Star Metal Fluids – In-kind – Machinist program
- United Way of Northern Utah – YouthBuild program and In-kind for Nursing Assistant program
- Weber Human Services Foundation – Student Support Services
- Weber School Foundation – Student Support Services
- Weber State University, Dumke College of Health Professions – Student Support Services
For questions regarding any of these contributions or interest in investing in success, please contact Brynn Murdock, development director, brynn.murdock@otech.edu, 801-395-3781.