AMTSociety is delighted to announce the winners of its 2012 scholarship programs. AMTSociety Scholarships were created to financially assist students in an approved AMT program, active duty military, reserve, and National Guard personnel, and those already certified in furthering their professional education and training. Academic and training scholarships are an integral part of AMTSociety’s purpose and one way AMTSociety is committed to promoting future aircraft maintenance technicians in the highly skilled aircraft maintenance profession.
Each academic scholarship is valued at $1,500. The U.S. Military Scholarship is offered in conjunction with Baker’s School of Aeronautics in Nashville, TN. This scholarship includes tuition for Baker’s two-week A&P Mechanics Course, fees for oral and practical testing, hotel (11-13 days), and a $100 gift card from Kroger’s.
Joe Hawkins, AMTSociety Director and Scholarship Chair, introduces the 2012 winners:
Charles E. Taylor Scholarship: Jennifer K. Lawson, Tulsa Technology Center.
Lawson is a U.S. Army veteran with family ties to aerospace. Her grandfather worked in the Space Shuttle program at Rockwell International while her uncle retired from McDonnell Douglas. She grew up helping in the office of her family’s aircraft rental business where she also learned to fly a Piper Cub. She volunteers each summer as a ramp rat at EAA AirVenture and she plans to continue her studies in avionics and advanced composites after she completes her Airframe and Powerplant program.
Thomas “Tom” E. Hendershot Scholarship: Chris A. Wilson, Aviation Institute of Maintenance.
Wilson is enrolled at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Kansas City campus pursuing his Airframe and Powerplant certificates. Outside of class, he is a ramp agent for Delta Airlines and he thoroughly enjoys everything about airplanes. Wilson has a sincere commitment to his studies which is indicative of his excellent GPA. His father is a senior AMT for an international corporation and Wilson plans to follow in his father’s career path after graduation.
William “Bill” F. O’Brien Scholarship: Webster L. Burch, Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
In addition to pursuing FAA certification as an Airframe and Powerplant maintenance technician, Burch is also working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace maintenance management. He is involved with church and community activities and a student worker in the MTSU Flight School Maintenance Department. Burch is active in the MTSU Aerospace Maintenance Club and along with other members, volunteers at Sun N’ Fly each spring.
U.S. Military Scholarship: Petty Officer First Class Thomas J. King, United States Coast Guard.
Petty Officer King is an aviation maintenance instructor at the Coast Guard Technician Training Center in Elizabeth City, NC. King earned a Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Aerospace Management. He has more than 2,000 hours as HU-25 Guardian Dropmaster, instructor, and maintenance technician. As a flight crewmember, Petty Officer King is directly credited with saving 11 lives. King plans to continue his military service and advance into the Coast Guard Warrant Officer ranks.
AMFA Scholarship: Brian W. Gallagher, Crimson Technical College, Inglewood, CA.
Aviation has always been Gallagher’s first passion. He was introduced to airplanes in the second grade. A friend had built a balsa wood glider and they took it out for its maiden flight. From then on he was obsessed with aircraft. As a young teen he joined the Civil Air Patrol and earned the rank of First Lieutenant. He was Cadet Squadron Commander and attended several encampments at Air Force bases all over the country. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a UH-1H (HUEY) crew chief and mechanic. He obtained his private pilot license in 1990. He is married with two teenage children. He has completed one-third of the courses and holds a 4.0 grade point average. He is a two-time President’s Award (100 percent grade, 100 percent attendance) and four-time AAA (Attitude, Academics, Attendance) Award recipient.
