A national trade organization recently awarded a $2,000 scholarship to Burton T. Maines Jr., of Williamsport, an HVAC technology major at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Maines is among recipients in The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute's 2006 Clifford H. "Ted" Rees Jr. Scholarship program, which honors the legacy of the former president of ARI and his efforts to spur heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration manufacturers to support and strengthen vocational-technical education nationwide.
The scholarship, established to encourage higher education and careers as technicians, honors qualified students who are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a related program at an accredited institution. The Rees Foundation awards 10 scholarships to deserving students twice a year before the fall and spring academic semesters.
"We are thrilled to award these scholarships to some of the brightest men and women studying in this technical field today," said William G. Sutton, president of ARI. "By supporting the next generation of HVACR technicians, we pay tribute to Ted and his vision to strengthen the future of the air conditioning and refrigeration industry by encouraging young men and women to excel at installing, repairing and maintaining this equipment."
For the Fall 2006 semester, ARI received 40 applications from students at technical schools, community colleges and universities across the country. Selection criteria used by the review committee included academic performance, letters of recommendation, work history and a short essay. More information about the Rees Scholarship can be found online .
ARI is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment. An internationally recognized leader in developing standards for and certifying the performance of these products, it also is a major advocate for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry, both domestically and abroad.
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