HGTC Students Benefit from Workforce Scholarships
Students benefit from Workforce Scholarships with Little to No Debt at Graduation.
Richard Lewis, HGTC Machine Tool Operator Student, operates an okuma lathe controller to get the geometry of a part.
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (HGTC) leaders have been analyzing the data and comparing student loans over the past few years in correlation with increases in Workforce Scholarship funding available from the state. Student loans have declined as the amount of Workforce Scholarships have increased and student debt has decreased at graduation.
“We are proud to see the student loan totals decreasing as we receive the additional state scholarships needed for our students,” said Dr. Marilyn Murphy Fore, HGTC President. “We hope the Legislature will continue to support Workforce Scholarships and possibly increase the support of programs like this so our students can complete their educational goals with little to no debt at graduation.”
One student benefiting from the increase in Workforce Scholarship funds from the state is Richard Lewis, a machine tool major at HGTC. “Richard is an extremely eager to learn student. He is in class, on time, and ready to absorb any and all new material,” said Tim Coggins, Assistant Academic Chair/Professor for Machine Tool Technology. “He is always willing to help other students that may be struggling. He is a team player and has the potential to be a future team leader.”
Ryan Focht, HGTC Electronics Engineering Student, utilizes an oscilloscope to test two outputs.
Richard is set to graduate in May 2021 and plans to follow his father’s advice to not allow his passing in 2014 or his mother’s passing “weigh down his life.” Richard lost his mother in August just one week before the start of the fall semester.
“Richard has continued with a great attitude even though he had to bury his mother the week before the fall semester began,” Coggins continued. “He was responsible for making her arrangements and managing all of the changes following her loss.”
Another student receiving the Workforce Scholarship is Ryan Focht, an electronics engineering major at HGTC. His professor, Charles Kunkle, says Ryan has perfect attendance and is very personable and punctual.
“This scholarship has given me the right resources to excel in my learning and keep me up-to-par with my education. It has helped me financially and allowed me to stay in college,” said Ryan Focht, HGTC student.
Focht is planning to graduate in December 2021 debt free.