The group hopes to help develop careers in automotive service technology.
July 17, 2003 | OKMULGEE, OK - Gulf States Toyota announced today it is establishing a Toyota T-TEN Diversity Scholarship that will provide recipients with funding for college-level training in Automotive Technology and an entry-level position in the automotive service field. Two scholarships will be awarded each year. The scholarships will cover all expenses for applicants seeking an associate in applied science degree in the Automotive Service Technology Program, Toyota Technical Education Network (T-TEN) option at Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee.
"Today's automotive products are technological marvels and extremely complex," says Don Cole, technical capacity manager for Gulf States Toyota. "College-level training in automotive technology provides the foundation for success in this challenging and high-paying field. However, for many, this ‘best path’ is blocked by financial circumstance. Our scholarship, which targets lower-income households, eliminates cost as a barrier to a college education. For these young men and women, it will mean the opportunity to establish a profitable, lifetime career. At the same time, Gulf States Toyota will be helping Toyota dealers locate and train future technicians qualified to work on today's high-tech vehicles."
Each scholarship winner will receive funds to be used for tuition, fees, books, materials, campus housing, on-campus meals and a Toyota/Snap-on tool set. A paid internship at a Toyota dealership is also arranged. Gulf States is launching the scholarship program with a $35,000 grant to OSU-Okmulgee.
"The Gulf States Toyota T-TEN Diversity Scholarship will provide an exceptional educational opportunity for two students enrolling in our program," explained Steve Doede, OSU-Okmulgee Automotive/Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Institute division chair. "Each year we'll have the potential to name two more scholarship winners, so the positive impact of this commitment will continue to grow."
Gulf States Toyota, based in Houston, Texas, provides new Toyota vehicles, genuine replacement parts, and product support to its family of 143 Authorized Toyota Dealerships in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Toyota became an industry partner with OSU-Okmulgee in 1989. Since then the company has made a significant contribution to student learning through funding for student support, donation of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, equipment and training aids.
"The T-TEN program at OSU-Okmulgee produces outstanding entry-level Toyota technicians," says Cole. “With more than 1.3 million Toyotas on the road in the five states we serve, our service departments need qualified technicians, and a T-TEN graduate fits the bill. Right now we have openings for more than 90 technicians of varying skill levels within GST's 143 Toyota stores. More than 30 of those openings are entry-level; ideal for a T-TEN graduate."
Judged "Best of the Best" by Toyota in 2002, OSU-Okmulgee's T-TEN program placed first of more than 50 T-TEN programs nationwide. Programs are ranked on quality, student performance, curriculum consistency, facilities, campus and industry support.
Students interested in applying for the Gulf States Toyota T-TEN Diversity Scholarship should contact OSU-Okmulgee Student Financial Services at 1801 East Fourth Street, Okmulgee, OK 74447, 1-800-722-4417, extension 4684, or send e-mail to scholarships@osu-okmulgee.edu.
OSU-Okmulgee is a public, state-supported, technical institution committed to increasing the potential and productivity of the people it serves. This occurs through the delivery of high-quality instruction and programs, which are consistent with emerging educational and labor market needs. Web site: http://www.osu-okmulgee.edu.
