College of Alameda mechanics students earn scholarships
Shirleen Schermerhorn
Issue date: 5/22/08 Last update: 7/1/08 at 5:49 PM PST
Section: News
[Reprinted from Contra Costa Times' Alameda Journal bureau website]
The top three students in College of Alameda's Diesel and Truck Mechanics program have each received a $1,000 Peterson CAT Achievement Award Scholarship. Jose "Alex" Salazar, Thanh "Tommy" Nguyen and Joaquin Santos all have grade point averages of 4.0, excellent attendance records and serve as tutors in the diesel training labs.
The scholarships were provided by Northern California Caterpillar dealer Peterson Tractor and Power Systems and Caterpillar International Inc. Peterson and Caterpillar have been industry partners of College of Alameda's diesel program for more than 40 years. Caterpillar provides training support to the program with both scholarships and program improvement grants.
"Our diesel and truck mechanic programs here at College of Alameda are second to none," said Diesel Department Chairman and instructor Scott Albright. "Our graduates are in high demand. We have former students in almost every heavy-duty diesel truck, bus, marine and equipment shop in the greater San Francisco Bay Area."
All three students have earned College of Alameda Certificates of Completion in Diesel Mechanics, as well as certification as forklift operators and air brake mechanics.
Salazar came to the program as a mechanic working in the heavy-duty diesel bus industry. Nguyen was working as a package handler when he entered the program. He was selected as an intern and sponsored by Bay Area Kenworth in Oakland, a leading Northern California
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heavy and medium duty truck dealership.
Santos was the program's top student while attending College of Alameda, and named "Student of the Year" two years in a row. When he entered the program he was already employed as a diesel mechanic and was able to share real-life experiences with other students. Santos plans to finish his associate's degree, go on to major in engineering or agriculture, and eventually become a teacher.
Completion of the program requires two years of full-time study. Classes are scheduled for both day and evening students. For more information about the program, go to www.alameda.peralta.edu/diesel.
The top three students in College of Alameda's Diesel and Truck Mechanics program have each received a $1,000 Peterson CAT Achievement Award Scholarship. Jose "Alex" Salazar, Thanh "Tommy" Nguyen and Joaquin Santos all have grade point averages of 4.0, excellent attendance records and serve as tutors in the diesel training labs.
The scholarships were provided by Northern California Caterpillar dealer Peterson Tractor and Power Systems and Caterpillar International Inc. Peterson and Caterpillar have been industry partners of College of Alameda's diesel program for more than 40 years. Caterpillar provides training support to the program with both scholarships and program improvement grants.
"Our diesel and truck mechanic programs here at College of Alameda are second to none," said Diesel Department Chairman and instructor Scott Albright. "Our graduates are in high demand. We have former students in almost every heavy-duty diesel truck, bus, marine and equipment shop in the greater San Francisco Bay Area."
All three students have earned College of Alameda Certificates of Completion in Diesel Mechanics, as well as certification as forklift operators and air brake mechanics.
Salazar came to the program as a mechanic working in the heavy-duty diesel bus industry. Nguyen was working as a package handler when he entered the program. He was selected as an intern and sponsored by Bay Area Kenworth in Oakland, a leading Northern California
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heavy and medium duty truck dealership.
Santos was the program's top student while attending College of Alameda, and named "Student of the Year" two years in a row. When he entered the program he was already employed as a diesel mechanic and was able to share real-life experiences with other students. Santos plans to finish his associate's degree, go on to major in engineering or agriculture, and eventually become a teacher.
Completion of the program requires two years of full-time study. Classes are scheduled for both day and evening students. For more information about the program, go to www.alameda.peralta.edu/diesel.
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