BAYTOWN, TX — Lee College has received a $25,000 donation from the PVF Roundtable for scholarships that will support students in the craft trade programs of pipefitting, welding, machining and millwrighting.
Lee College administrators accepted the scholarship donation check during a special presentation at the October meeting of the Board of Regents.
“This will change students’ lives,” said Dr. Cathy Kemper-Pelle, Vice President of Learning, who attended the PVF Roundtable conference in August where the award was announced. “There is a large demand for skilled workers in our region, and your very generous gift will give students the opportunity to complete college credentials and start careers.”
The PVF Roundtable is an organization of companies and professionals involved in the pipe, valve and fitting industry. In addition to providing an open dialogue to exchange relevant information and creating awareness of industry affairs, the group is committed to helping prepare for the future growth of the industry through its support of educational and training institutions.
Ginger Restovic, a member of the PVF Roundtable Board of Directors, told the Regents the organization hopes to make the scholarship donation on an annual basis. After focusing its attention for many years solely on industry advancement, roundtable members recognized the importance of nurturing future generations of skilled workers needed for some $50 billion in projects slated for completion in the Gulf Coast region.
“We are more than honored to be able to pass this along,” Restovic said. “We know that there is a need out there and it’s not always at a four-year university. You educate them, and we’ll try to keep them employed.”