SC&R Foundation recognizes seven students

The SC&R Foundation recently awarded $21,000 in scholarships to seven students preparing for a career related to transportation or construction management. More than 80 applications were received for the 2006-2007 program.

The scholarships were announced during the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) Annual Conference in Hilton Head Island, SC, April 25-29. Since 1986, the SC&R Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships.

In alphabetical order, this year's $3,000 scholarship recipients are: Andrew Arnett; George Bacon; Jerel Fields, II; Jacob Harberts; Amanda Jordan; Jason McDonald; and Amanda Ruksznis.

George Bacon will begin his senior year as a Mechanical Engineering major at Seattle University, Washington, in the fall. He also won the award last year. His father, David Bacon, is a shipping clerk at Coast Crane Company in Seattle.

“The most outstanding qualities about Mr. Bacon are his intellect and work ethics,” said Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Frank J. Shih. “He has been the top scorer in almost all of the exams I have administered... and in the three engineering courses he has taken from me. He is an extremely motivated individual who is enthusiastic about a career in mechanical engineering. Besides excelling in classrooms, he is inquisitive, bright high achieving, dependable and exhibits strong leadership skills.”

Jerel Fields, II will begin his junior year as a civil engineering major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN. The three-time SC&R Foundation scholarship recipient has been designated as the winner of the Charles W. & Esthermae H. Young scholarship. His father, David Fields, is president of Western Crane Service, Inc., Bowling Green, KY.

“His contributions to discussion and group work were exceptional, productively advancing the discussion, and conversation with him, both in and out of class, is always enlivened by the intensity of his interests,” wrote English and Comparative Literature Assistant Professor Mark Henry Minster, PhD. “Other students wanted to be in his group because he is goal-oriented, good at drawing others out of their shells, and fun to be around. He is probably the most engaging student I have had here at Rose-Hulman, always alert and responsible.”

Amanda Jordan plans to attend Texas A&M University, College Station, TS, as a freshman engineering major. Her father, Don Jordan, is operations manager at the Crane Inspection and Certification Bureau, Brookside Village, TX.

“Amanda Jordan is one of those rare students that comes along and reminds you why you decided to teach,” wrote Hunter Morgan, agriculture department chair at Pearland High School, Pearland, TX. “Amanda is driven first by excellence. She will outperform the room in every task and will work hard to do a job that will meet even the highest standards. She is also driven by integrity. She will be consistent at every task. She will work hard whether you are watching or not.”

Winner of four SC&R Foundation scholarships, Jason McDonald plans to earn a degree in mechanical engineering technology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, in December 2007. His father, Timothy McDonald, has worked as a crane operator for Sterett Crane & Rigging Co., Owensboro, KY, for over 25 years. Jason has worked for Sterett Crane & Rigging part time in the summer and during winter breaks for the last four years.

“Jason has demonstrated dependability, team work, and a desire to learn the business,” said president William Sterett III. “With Jason's background and education, he will be a potential prospect for Sterett Crane and be an asset for any company.”