Since 2013, GAWDA has awarded $94,000 in scholarships

HOLLYWOOD, Florida ‒ The Gases and Welding Distributors Association (GAWDA)
awarded $20,000 in college scholarships to 10 high school students from across the
U.S. who are planning to study programs applicable to careers in the industry.
GAWDA annually awards the scholarships as a way to help educate, attract, and keep
quality individuals in the welding and gases distribution industry, said John Ospina,
GAWDA executive director. The announcement of the awards was made at the
Association’s annual spring management conference, held April 2 – 5 in Savannah,
Georgia.

A total of 47 scholarships have been presented, representing $94,000 in educational
assistance funds, since the program’s inception in 2013. The program is designed to
educate, attract, and keep quality individuals in the welding and gases distribution
industry, according to Ospina.

Named as 2016 scholarship recipients are:

Douglas Bolinger, of Pierceton, Indiana, who is attending Ferris State University

Kallie Booth, of Boise, Idaho, who is heading to Boise State University

Coby J. Dyches, of San Angelo, Texas, who will be attending Angelo State
University

Lucas Harder, of Naperville, Illinois, who is heading to Albion College

William John Kirchoff, of Eagan, Minnesota, who plans to study at the
University of St. Thomas

Hallie McClintock, of Galena, Ohio, who is attending Oklahoma State University

Dana Morgan, of LaPorte, Texas, who is heading to San Jacinto College

Shawn Soris, of Aurora, Illinois, who plans to study at St. Norbert College

Ellene Cansada Tanner, of Braselton, Georgia, who will attend the University of
North Georgia

David Zumbrun, of Hixson, Tennessee, who plans to attend the University of
Tennessee.

Contributing to the scholarship fund this year are sponsor GAWDA members: Airweld,
Inc., Atlas Welding Supply Co., Inc., AWISCO, Cameron Welding Supply, Holston
Gases, Inc., Minneapolis Oxygen Company, O.E. Meyer Company, Oxygen Service
Company, South Jersey Welding Supply, Inc. and Welders Supply Company-Raimy
Corporation.

Applicants must be an employee of a GAWDA member organization or the child of an
employee of an active GAWDA member company and meet other eligibility
requirements.

For more information about how to contribute to the scholarship fund, or for details
about program eligibility, visit: https://www.gawda.org/resources/gawda-scholarshipsprogram/