TRCC Students Awarded
2010 NEFC Scholarships
Chestnut Hill, Mass. The New England Fiberoptic Council (NEFC), a regional professional organization committed to promoting the photonics and fiber optics industry, has announced that seven community college students have been awarded its annual NEFC scholarship. Students from Three Rivers Community College (TRCC) who received a scholarship are Benjamin A. Reynolds and Timothy B. Rice. They will return to TRCC in fall 2010.
According to NEFC board member and educational chair, Fenna Hanes, the organization awarded $1000 to seven qualified community college students who will be enrolled for the 2010 - 2011 academic year in a program that offers at least on course in fiber optics. The award is merit-based. Since the scholarshipÕs inception more than ten years ago, the organization has provided more than $55,000 in educational funds to regional students.
According to Hanes, scholarship benefits extend beyond just the money. ÒStudents will also have the opportunity to attend all our monthly meetings for free and take advantage of the great networking opportunities they present,Ó she explained. ÒAlso, they can participate, free of charge, in all the NEFC workshops at our annual FiberFest trade show.Ó Hanes continued, ÒWeÕre also very interested in hearing from schools that are exploring ways of establishing a course in the future for their students.Ó
ÒThree Rivers students have been benefiting from the generosity of the NEFC since 2003. The scholarship and the opportunity to network with fiber optics professionals at the monthly dinner meeting has be extremely valuable, Ò according to TRCC Laser and Fiber Optic Technology program coordinator Judy Donnelly.
Left to right, NEFC Education Chair Fenna Hanes, Benjamin Reynolds, Timothy Rice, TRCC Professor Judy Donnelly, NEFC Board President Gerald Joyce.