Students Yuriy Kermoshchuk (third from left) and Allen Hobbs (fifth from left) received scholarships from the Pitt County Electrical Contractors Association (PCECA). On hand were, left to right: PCECA President Mike Benson, PCECA Secretary Robert Saieed, PCC Electrical Systems Technology (EST) Instructor Dennis Marshall, PCC EST Instructor Joe Strickland, PCECA member Jimmy Benson and PCC EST Department Chair Eddie Sherrod.
WINTERVILLE—Members of the Pitt County Electrical Contractors Association (PCECA) visited the Pitt Community College campus in July
to present scholarships to Electrical Systems Technology (EST) students Allen Hobbs and Yuriy Kermoshchuk.
The students, who are planning to become licensed electrical contractors upon completion of their studies, received $500 each to use toward educational expenses. The awards come through PCECA’s John Payne Electrical Scholarship Fund, which was created to honor a former Pitt County electrical inspector and encourage individuals to pursue electrical trade careers.
“It is great that the Pitt County Electrical Contractors Association supports Electrical System Technology students,” Kermoshchuk said. “I really appreciate this award; it will help me to reimburse studying expenses.”
A Ukrainian native who has lived in the United States for the past 10 years, Kermoshchuk is nearing completion of his final semester at PCC. The Dean’s List student said he enjoyed the EST curriculum’s combination of theory and hands-on instruction, saying it made learning more interesting and “definitely” prepared him for work in the electrical field.
Hobbs, a Greenville resident originally from Chocowinity, has two semesters remaining in the EST program. He has excelled in his studies thus far, having made the college’s Honor Roll.
To be considered for the Payne Scholarship at PCC, students must perform well academically and demonstrate excellent practical skills. They must also be recommended for the award by their instructors and preparing for a career in the electrical field.