News from 2018

The Bison Transport Scholarship was awarded to Rachel Kehl, a resident of New Hamburg, Ontario who is currently enrolled in her first year at the University Waterloo where she is studying for a degree in Global Business & Digital Arts. Rachel, inspired by Eduardo Galeano, who said: “Many small people, in small places, doing small things can change the world”, hopes to “connect with others who are also passionate about making a difference in their own way, however small”.

 

The Bison Transport Scholarship is awarded to one post-secondary student who demonstrates an exemplary commitment to his/her academic studies as well as community service, and who is enrolled in full time studies in Transportation, Logistics, Human Resources, or Business at a recognized university or college in Canada.

 

The Erb Group of Companies “Service to Community” Scholarship was awarded to Harry Qu, a resident of Nepean, Ontario and a Mathematics student at the University of Waterloo. Harry, who has committed more than 700 hours to community service, hopes to continue to experience the “joy of volunteerism”. In addition to several volunteer leadership roles with school clubs and committees, Harry has volunteered teaching hours with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, mentored at ListenSpeakLead Youth Leadership Program, and volunteered with several youth service groups such as World University Service of Canada, Christie Lake Kids, and All Nations International Development Agency.

 

The Erb Group of Companies “Service to Community” Scholarship is 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.

 

The JD Smith and Sons “Leaders of Tomorrow” Scholarship was awarded to Victoria Lacey, whose application was sponsored by Wabash Canada in Kitchener. Victoria just started her fourth and final year in the Creative Industries program at Ryerson University. Outside the classroom, Victoria has assumed several leadership roles making the arts more inclusive for people with disabilities, and in helping people with disabilities improve their overall health and wellness. Confined to a wheelchair since the age of two due to a rare neuromuscular disease, Victoria has travelled around the country as an advocate speaking on behalf of all patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to persuade lawmakers to approve provincial funding for SMA therapy. She is also working to help children with SMA get access to current and future treatments.

 

The J. D. Smith and Sons “Leaders of Tomorrow” Scholarship recognizes one university student who is the child of a parent who works in the Ontario trucking industry, and demonstrates exemplary leadership qualities through undertakings in his/her community, school or other volunteer work.

 

The OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Mackenzie Peters, whose father has spent 6 of his 30-year driving career working for Wilson Truck Lines, the employer that sponsored Mackenzie’s application.  Mackenzie is a second-year student at North Bay’s Nipissing University where she is studying for a Bachelor of Physical Health & Education degree. Mackenzie takes pride that in spite of being “a bit of a workaholic”, her dad always made a point to “attend parent picnics, graduations, parent-teacher interviews, and hockey tournaments”. She continues to look to her dad for advice.

 

The OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship recognizes the hard work, dedication and professionalism of all Ontario truck drivers, and honours the memory of those who have lost their lives while driving on-the-job. Applicants must be the child of a commercial driver who has been driving professionally for a minimum of 5 years.

 

The OTA Allied Trades University Scholarship was awarded to Matthew Myles who just started his third year at the University of Western Ontario where he is working on earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Once he completes his undergraduate degree, Matthew plans to apply to medical school to become a doctor specializing in endocrinology.

 

The OTA Allied Trades College Scholarship was awarded to Ryan Soetemans who recently started his second of a three-year diploma program in Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology at Sarnia’s Lambton College. After completing this program, Ryan has set a goal of also obtaining his electrical license.

 

The OTA Allied Trades Scholarships are awarded annually to one university and one college student, each of whom has completed at least one year of post-secondary education, and who has demonstrated a strong commitment to his/her academic performance.

 

The OTA Education Foundation’s Endowed Scholarship program is funded entirely by one-time contributions by the organizations for which the scholarships are named. The eligibility and assessment criteria are determined jointly between the endowed fund contributors and the Foundation, who also administers the scholarship program.

The recipients are chosen by the Foundation’s Selection Committee, which spends a great deal of time reviewing applications that are submitted by students who are the children of parents who work in the Ontario trucking industry. “Members of the Foundation’s board feel privileged to be able to use these prestigious scholarship opportunities to recognize four outstanding first-year university and college students each year” says Foundation chair, Scott Smith. The scholarships are awarded to students who exhibit an impressive balance between academic performance, service to community, and strong personal values.

 

The JO Goodman, Bud Barr, and George P. Ledson Scholarships are awarded to first-year university applicants, while the CV Hoar Scholarship is awarded to a first-year college applicant. Applicants are asked to describe their academic and personal accomplishments, contributions to community, extra-curricular activities, as well as personal, academic, and career goals.

 

The JO Goodman Scholarship was awarded to Taegan Townsley of Beamsville, Ontario. Her application was sponsored by J-Line Transport Ltd., where Taegan’s mother works as an office administrator. Taegan is starting her first year at the University of Western Ontario where she is studying for an Honours Bachelor degree in Anthropology.

 

The Bud Barr Scholarship was awarded to Megan Suchon of Mississauga, Ontario. Her application was sponsored by Atripco Delivery Service, where Megan’s mother, a senior information manager, has been employed for 27 years. Megan is pursuing an Honours Bachelor degree in Engineering at Carleton University.

 

The George P. Ledson Scholarship was awarded to Mallory Haggith of Kitchener, Ontario. Her application was sponsored by Challenger Motor Freight Inc., where Mallory’s father has been employed as a driver for 22 years. Mallory is pursuing an Honours Bachelor degree in Global and International Studies at Carleton University.

 

The CV Hoar Scholarship was awarded to Katelyn Curtis of Mississauga, Ontario. Her application was sponsored by TST Overland Express, where Katelyn’s mother is employed as a payroll representative. Katelyn is studying Journalism-Broadcast at Sheridan College in Oakville.

 

All scholarship recipients are selected from qualifying applications from students who are entering their first year of post-secondary studies at public universities or colleges. In addition to the Goodman, Barr, Ledson, and Hoar scholarships, 41 general university and college scholarships for 2018 were previously awarded to students who submitted applications sponsored by Ontario-based trucking and allied trade companies where the applicants’ parents work.

 

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 William (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.

 

The George P. Ledson Scholarship is named for George Ledson, who until his resignation in 2015, served as a director on the Foundation’s board for 20 years.

 

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.

 

General scholarships, including the Goodman, Barr, Ledson, and Hoar scholarships, are funded by annual donations, which, in large part, come from Ontario trucking and allied trades companies. The number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent on the amount that the Foundation receives in donations. For more information on the Foundation or to make a donation, go to: www.otaef.com.

Students and parents are encouraged to browse the OTA Education Foundation's website (www.otaef.com) to download application forms for Education Foundation scholarships. Students can apply for general university or college scholarships in the amounts of $1,500 and $1,000 respectively to help them fund their tuition and other academic fees.

 

General applicants must meet all eligibility criteria, which includes having the application sponsored by an Ontario trucking or trucking services/supply company that employs or contracts a parent of the applicant.

 

Students entering their first year of post-secondary directly from high school are eligible to apply for the J.O. Goodman, the Bud Barr, George P. Ledson, or the C.V. Hoar awards. 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 awards are chosen by the Foundation's Selection Committee.

 

The Student Scholarship Application Package for the 2018/2019 academic year contains complete information and instructions, along with all the necessary forms for the general scholarships.

 

Endowed Scholarships also available

 

Post-secondary students are also urged to take a look at the scholarship opportunities under the Foundation’s endowed scholarship program. These scholarships have been established by trucking and service supply companies through endowments that are managed by the Foundation, and reflect the priorities and values of the companies that established them.

 

The deadline for completed applications for endowed scholarships has also been extended to July 20^th. Students can apply for as many scholarships as they want, and are eligible to receive more than one. Application forms for the following endowed scholarships are available:

 

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 Scholarships: Awarded to one university student and one college student, who have completed at least one year of post-secondary education, and who has demonstrated a strong commitment to his/her academic performance.

 

OTA Professional Driver Memorial Scholarship: Awarded in the memory of a true truck hero, David Virgoe, who lost his life in a crash caused by street racers, for children of Ontario truck drivers who are killed or seriously injured on the road.

 

General scholarships (including the J.O. Goodman, Bud Barr, George P. Ledson, and C.V. Hoar awards) are funded by annual donations, which, in large part, come from Ontario trucking and allied trades companies. The number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent on the amount that the Foundation receives in donations. To download the 2018/2019 application package or to make a donation, go to www.otaef.com.

 

Endowed scholarships are funded by the companies that established them and recipients are chosen by the Foundation’s Selection Committee.

Wayne Gruszka, president of TST Overland Express is proud of this annual opportunity to recognize the academic achievements of students enrolled in transportation-related learning. “We are extremely pleased to be a part of the road to success for both of these young women, and welcome the opportunity to recognize hard-working students for their dedication to their studies”. Both students expressed appreciation for the financial boost to help cover tuition and other student-related costs.

 

Originally from Venezuela where she previously attended university, Monica has expressed a desire to attain various certificates related to freight-forwarding industry, such as those offered by CIFFA, in order to gain further knowledge and to improve her skills. She has also established a goal of attaining a Master’s degree in a related field. Currently employed with a freight forwarding company, Monica hopes to achieve a management position through which she can play an integral role in helping a company in its path to success.

 

Priscilla entered Seneca College already armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, which she earned in her native Brazil. International Transportation and Customs seemed to be a natural extension to her previous education and reflected her interest in international trade. Priscilla has also set her sights on obtaining a Master’s Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Ultimately, she would like to combine her legal background with her knowledge in international transportation to provide vital strategic thinking from different perspectives in a growing and competitive business.

 

The TST Overland Express International Transportation and Customs scholarships are awarded annually, and are funded by an endowment established by TST Overland Express, and is administered by the OTA Education Foundation.

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 board encourages students to take the time to review all the scholarship opportunities that the Foundation offers. The scholarships are offered in addition to the Foundation’s General Scholarships, which are available exclusively to children of parents who work in trucking and trucking-related companies. Endowed scholarship recipients are chosen by the Foundation’s Selection Committee. Students can apply for as many scholarships as they want, and are eligible to win more than one.  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, who demonstrates a commitment to his/her community, through 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 strong commitment to his/her academic success.

 

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.

 

Scholarships have also been endowed by other companies, for which recipients are selected by secondary schools or post-secondary institutions. Don Anderson Haulage has sponsored annual scholarships to two graduating students from Stouffville District Secondary School, and Grant's Transport awards one scholarship annually to a graduating student from Timiskaming District Secondary School. Both Glasvan Great Dane Trailer Sales and Trailcon Leasing provide assistance to students enrolled in trailer service technician studies at Conestoga College, while TST Overland Express awards two scholarships to students enrolled in International Transportation and Customs at Seneca College.

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 directly from high school are eligible to apply for the J.O. Goodman, the Bud Barr, George P. Ledson, or the C.V. Hoar Awards. 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 2015/2016 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, George P. Ledson, and C.V. Hoar awards.

 

General scholarships are funded by annual donations, which, in large part, come from Ontario trucking and allied trades companies. The number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent on the amount that the Foundation receives in donations. Go to the Foundations website to download the 2018/2019 application package or to make a donation.