OTAEF News Highlights From 2013 |
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Exceptional Scholarship Recipients Announced (2013-11-15)
Recipients of OTA Education Foundation scholarships which are earmarked for exceptional first-year post-secondary students were announced during the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual convention. In an address during the event’s Awards Tribute Dinner, Scott Smith, president of J.D. Smith and Sons and chairman of the Foundation noted that these and other scholarships are “only made possible through the generous donations from trucking and allied trade companies”...
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The recipients are chosen by the Foundation’s Selection Committee members who “spend hours reviewing applications that are submitted by students who are the children of parents who work in the Ontario trucking industry”. “These students exhibit an impressive balance between academic abilities, service to community and strong personal values”, continued Smith.
The CV Hoar Scholarship, which is awarded to an outstanding first-year college applicant, was awarded to James Truelove. His application was sponsored by the Westchester Staffing Group of Kingston where his father worked as a driver for 2 years until he was killed in a trucking accident. James is attending St. Lawrence College where he is studying Police Foundations.
The JO Goodman Scholarship, which is awarded to an outstanding first-year university applicant, was awarded to Alexandra Suchon. Her application was sponsored by Atripco Delivery Service where Alexandra’s mother has worked for 22 years. Alexandra is attending the University of Waterloo where she is studying civil engineering.
The Bud Barr Scholarship, which is also awarded to an outstanding first-year university applicant, was awarded to Laura Hidvary. Her application was sponsored by Canada Cartage Systems, where her father is employed as an AZ driver. Laura is attending McMaster University where she is working towards a Bachelor of Science degree.
All three scholarship recipients are selected from all qualifying applications from students who are entering their first year of post-secondary studies at recognized universities or colleges.
The C. V. Hoar Scholarship is named for Charles Hoar, who is one of the founding members of the OTA Education Foundation and who led the Foundation into its current form when he helped establish the J.O. Goodman Awards in 1979.
The J.O. Goodman Scholarship is named for Joe Goodman, who for 44 years was Senior Staff Executive of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA). He served as the Foundation’s Executive Director from its beginning in 1958 until 1978.
The Bud Barr Scholarship is named for Bud Barr, who served as the Foundation’s Executive Director from 1992 to 2005, following his retirement from a long career in the Ontario trucking industry. The scholarship honours the memory of Bud Barr, who passed away in 2009.
Silent Auction Raises Funds for Scholarships (2013-11-15)
A silent auction held during the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual convention raised $2,650 for the OTA Education Foundation. Winners of West Jet tickets to anywhere the airline flies, two Leafs tickets, as well as two IPads, were announced by Scott Smith, chairman of the Foundation, during the Awards Tribute Dinner held on Thursday night...
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Smith thanked the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) for the opportunity to address convention delegates, and thanked OTA for facilitating the silent auction and the Bike Rally held in September, which also raised funds for the Foundation. “Even though our name includes “OTA” in it, we are not part of the Ontario Trucking Association, and as such, we do not receive direct funding from OTA”, Smith explained. He further noted that as a charitable organization, the Foundation “relies on voluntary donations that come primarily from trucking and allied trade companies”.
In 2013, the Foundation handed out $25,000 in the form of 18 general scholarships to students whose parents work in the trucking industry. “Each year, as a board we are always amazed by the quality of the applicants”, Smith continued. These individuals are committed students who are dedicated to their studies, as evidenced by their academic performance.
“The unfortunate reality is that there are many deserving students who do not receive scholarships from the Foundation, which is a direct result of our financial limitations”. Smith highlighted one such student who is attending Wilfrid University studying financial mathematics, who did not receive a scholarship.
In 2013, 33 trucking and trucking-related companies donated to the Foundation, a few of them twice. “We need more donors to help us meet our goal of handing out scholarships to all deserving applicants”. Students who received scholarships appreciate the Foundation’s, and by extension, the trucking industry’s assistance.
Smith encouraged delegates to support the Foundation, both “by donating, and by letting workers know about the scholarship opportunities” offered by the Foundation.
All 2013 scholarship winners and contributors will be included in the Foundation’s forthcoming Annual Update, which will be sent to OTA members, and posted on the Foundation’s website.
Students "Haul" Don Anderson Scholarships to College (2013-07-02)
The Don Anderson Haulage Business and Technology Scholarships were awarded to two exceptional students at the graduation ceremony of Stouffville District Secondary School last Wednesday. Curtis Davis was presented with the Don Anderson Haulage Technology Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance in his pursuit of a Civil Engineering diploma at Georgian College. Madni Ahmed was presented with the Don Anderson Haulage Business Scholarship to assist with his studies in International Business Administration at Seneca College....
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“We welcome this opportunity to help two dedicated and hard-working students each year”, said Michael Anderson, president at Don Anderson Haulage located in Gormley, Ontario. “With tuition fees on a steady upward climb for some time now, I’m sure that students heading off to college or university appreciate any financial assistance”. He further noted that the scholarships provide the company with the opportunity to “give back” to the local community.
Curtis has set a goal of achieving a high GPA in each of the three years studying civil engineering at Georgian College, after which, he plans to pursue a career in his field of study. Madni plans to complete the three-year diploma program at Seneca College and then transfer into an International Business degree program. Madni is also the recipient of the Excellence in Math Award and the OSSTF Student Achievement Award.
Winners are selected by Stouffville District Secondary School using academic performance criteria.
The Don Anderson Haulage Business and Technology Scholarships are awarded annually to two graduating Stouffville District Secondary School students with high overall averages who are attending college to study business or technology. The scholarships are funded by an endowment established by Don Anderson Haulage Limited., and are administered by the OTA Education Foundation.
Glasvan Great Dane Scholarships awarded to Top Achievers (2013-06-03)
The top two academic achievers in the truck-trailer service unit of Conestoga College’s MotivePower Fundamentals program were awarded with Glasvan Great Dane Truck Trailer Service Technician scholarships last Wednesday. Connor Irwin was recognized for being the top practical student, while Sean Dixon was honored for being the most improved student. The scholarships, which will be used to fund the students’ ongoing education, were presented at the 4th Annual Trades and Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony hosted by Conestoga College in Waterloo...
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“We see this as a win-win opportunity” says Paul Cobham, president of Glasvan Trailers Inc. of Mississauga. “The students appreciate the additional funding to help them continue their apprenticeships and are given a little extra reward for their hard work and dedication”. Cobham also notes that the students’ “exposure to the trucking industry as a possible employer in the future is a step in the right direction”. The winners of the Glasvan Great Dane scholarships are selected by Conestoga College using academic performance as the primary criterion.
The Glasvan Great Dane Truck Trailer Service Technician Scholarship is funded by an endowment established by Glasvan Trailers Inc., and is administered by the OTA Education Foundation. For more information on the Foundation, go to www.otaef.com.
Trailcon Leasing Scholarship Awarded to New Dad (2013-06-03)
The 2013 Trailcon Leasing Trailer Service Technician Scholarship was awarded to Wade Munro of Hagarsville, Ontario last Wednesday at the 4th Annual Trades and Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony hosted by Conestoga College in Waterloo. Wade is a student enrolled in Conestoga College’s Motive Power Fundamentals program who excelled in the Truck Trailer Service component of the program...
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“My wife and daughter are my focus”, said Munro in a letter to the Foundation. “They give me the drive to achieve and succeed”. He hopes to continue with his academic success, and is aspiring to earn an average grade of 90% or more throughout the rest of his apprenticeship.
“Once again, we at Trailcon feel privileged to be able to offer this opportunity to a student who has clearly demonstrated a strong commitment to his education and training” says Al Boughton, president of Trailcon Leasing Inc. of Mississauga. “The trailer service trade is an important one, and we hope that through this award, we will encourage skilled individuals to pursue jobs in this segment of the industry”.
Winners are selected by Conestoga College using academic performance criteria along with established criteria to assess financial need.
The Trailcon Leasing Trailer Service Technician Scholarship is funded by an endowment established by Trailcon Leasing Inc., and is administered by the OTA Education Foundation. For more information, go to www.otaef.com.
Trucking Industry Foundation offers more Scholarship Opportunities (2013-05-15)
Parents and their university- and college-aged children are urged to check out the many scholarship opportunities offered by the OTA Education Foundation under its endowed scholarship program. These scholarships have been established by trucking and service supply companies through endowments that are managed by the Foundation...
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The Foundation offers a wide array of scholarships that reflect the priorities and values of the companies that endowed the funds and then worked with the Foundation in developing unique scholarship opportunities.
The Foundation’s chairman, Scott Smith of J. D. Smith and Sons, encourages students to take the time to review all the scholarship opportunities that the Foundation offers. “Students can apply for as many scholarships as they want, and are eligible to win more than one”, says Smith. The scholarships are offered in addition to the Foundation General Scholarships which are available exclusively to children of parents who work in trucking and trucking-related companies. Recipients are chosen by the Foundation’s Selection Committee.
Applications are available to download from the Foundation’s website for the following scholarships:
Bison Transport Scholarship: Awarded to a full-time student enrolled in a recognized Transportation, Logistics, Human Resources or Business program at a Canadian university or college.
The Erb Group of Companies "Service to Community" Scholarship: Awarded to a first-year post-secondary student enrolled in a recognized college or university, who demonstrates a commitment to his/her community, through his/her involvement in community and/or charitable volunteer work.
J.D. Smith & Sons "Leaders of Tomorrow" Scholarship: Awarded to a university student who demonstrates a commitment to his/her community, school or other volunteer undertaking while demonstrating exemplary leadership qualities.
OTA Allied Trades Division Scholarships: Awarded to one university student and one college student, who has completed at least one year of post-secondary education, and who has demonstrated a stron commitment to his/her academic performance.
OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship Award: Awarded to one university student each year who is the son or daughter of a professional commercial truck driver.
For more information and to download application forms, go to the Endowed Scholarship page on the Foundation’s new website at www.otaef.com.
Scholarship Applications Now Available from New Website (2013-04-03)
Students and parents are encouraged to browse the OTA Education Foundation’s new website (www.otaef.com) to download application forms for both general and endowed scholarships. The new website offers a user-friendly source of information about the Foundation and its many scholarship opportunities available to post-secondary students with links to the trucking industry...
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“We are really excited about the launch of our new website” says Scott Smith, president of J.D. Smith and Sons and chairman of the Foundation. “This is something that our Board thought would elevate the Foundation to the next level”. In addition to hosting scholarship application forms, the website also makes donating to the Foundation effortless. “Donations are essential to the success of the Foundation, and ultimately our ability to award scholarships every year”, continued Scott. “Our supporters can now elect to donate electronically using our secure on-line donate button”.
Students can apply for university or college scholarships in the amount of $1,500 and $1,000 respectively to help them fund their tuition and other academic fees. Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria and be sponsored by an Ontario trucking or trucking services/supply company that employs or contracts a parent of the applicant. In addition, students must submit a brief essay that answers a question about the trucking industry.
Students entering their first year of post-secondary studies directly from high school are eligible to apply for the J.O. Goodman Award, the Bud Barr Award, or the C. V. Hoar Award. While the same application form can be used, there are additional requirements. Applicants are assessed on criteria which include academic achievement, service to community, and participation in extra-curricular activities. Winners for these three awards are chosen by the Foundation’s Selection Committee.
The Student Scholarship Application Package for the 2013/2014 Academic Year contains complete information and instructions, along with all the necessary forms for the general scholarships, as well as the J.O. Goodman, Bud Barr, and C.V. Hoar awards. To download the 2013/2014 application package or to make a donation to the OTA Education Foundation, go to www.otaef.com.
The Foundation’s new website was designed and created by Rebecka Torn of Beyond Words Communications and Dave King of Digital Outhouse. Rebecka spent more than 20 years providing communications expertise to the trucking industry in her roles with OTA and CTA. Dave is a digital artist and programmer with 15 years of industry experience who has created digital content for television, film video games and the web.
