In October, Southern States Machinery hosted its annual charity golf tournament with a mission to strengthen the future of manufacturing in Iredell County.
“It was a day of great fun for a great cause,” said Bill Plourd, Executive Vice President of Southern States Machinery, Inc. “Southern States Machinery is proud to partner with Mitchell Community College.”
This year’s event raised $31,000 for the Southern States Machinery Manufacturing Scholarship, which supports students enrolled in Mitchell Community College’s advanced manufacturing programs.
“The college is grateful to Southern States Machinery for recognizing the importance of helping students by raising scholarship funds that enable them to pursue rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing,” said Dr. Tim Brewer, Mitchell’s President.
The day was filled with networking, spirited competition, and a shared commitment to giving back to the community. Furthermore, these efforts directly impact the local workforce by helping prospective students gain the skills needed for rewarding careers.
Since its inception, the scholarship has already made a difference. Four students benefited from the scholarship during the past academic year, easing financial burdens and opening doors to career opportunities.
Hunter Freeze, a Welding Technology student, shared:
“This money is going to help me with the materials I need for class. Thank you for the financial support to pursue my career goal.”
Jaye Bost, another scholarship recipient, added:
“This scholarship has taken away my financial burdens and relieved stress for myself and my family regarding student loans. This scholarship makes my career aspirations possible. I am grateful to be chosen for this scholarship.”
Southern States Machinery, Inc. remains committed to supporting education and workforce development in the region. Through initiatives like this golf tournament, the company continues to partner with Mitchell Community College to invest in Iredell County’s next generation of skilled professionals.
“We thank all of our customers and builders who joined us for this great event, added Plourd. “We are looking forward to this tournament next year with the goal of increasing the number of scholarships we can provide for Mitchell.”
For more information about Mitchell Community College’s manufacturing programs, visit mitchellcc.edu/continuing-education/manufacturing-and-industrial.