ELLISVILLE – A $10,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation has provided each of the five Jones College precision manufacturing and machining student-recipients with a one-thousand dollar tuition scholarship. Receiving the scholarships are Tanner Bryant of Laurel, Jason Williams of Laurel, Christian Daniel of Prentiss, Emmett Searles of Hattiesburg and Troy Leiva, Jr. of Gloster. Jones College’s precision manufacturing and machining instructor, Chase Elmore said the recipients are all outstanding students in the program.
“Each student who applied through the Jones College Foundation had to submit a resume’ to be considered for the scholarship,” said Elmore. “Besides scholarships, some of the grant money will also be used to provide credential testing fees for qualifying students.”
Freshman, Troy Leiva, Jr. said he was thrilled to receive this scholarship.
“It will take care of paying the rest of my tuition so I can complete this program. I am very happy about that!”
This is the second year the Gene Haas Foundation has donated to the program since the partnership began in 2017, providing many opportunities for Jones College students.
“The Gene Haas Foundation along with Haas and Machine Tools LLC has contributed greatly to the program. They have also provided new equipment for us to use in the lab which also serves as Haas’ showroom for business customers and for the company’s ‘Demo Day.’ They also provide maintenance for these high-tech machines and opportunities for our students to meet some of the industry leaders who purchase the machines,” said Elmore.
He added he is optimistic about continuing to receive funds/grants from the Haas Foundation for the precision manufacturing and machining program at Jones and encourages students to take advantage of an incredible opportunity to learn a valuable skill that can also offer tuition assistance for qualifying students. Elmore said job placement in the machining and manufacturing industry is usually at 100-percent. The workforce needs young men and women to lead this nation to provide better manufacturing nationwide.
“We are grateful at Jones to be able to provide an opportunity to train students where there is demand for our graduates. Our partnership with Haas has also allowed us to take our training even further by providing Jones students with experience and training on the newest technology furnished by Haas,” said Elmore.