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Five students from Frontier Community College received scholarships to use towards their enrollment in the Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) Program. The scholarships presented include the Luke Vaughan Memorial Scholarship, the Earl R. Pottorff Memorial Scholarship, the Steve Rafferty Memorial Scholarship, and the Wayne-White Electric Co-Op Scholarship (in honor of Gerry Kinney).
Earl R. Pottorff Memorial Scholarship
Student Brandon Hawkey received the Earl R. Pottorff Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 cash scholarship. He is pictured (center) with Dr. Paul Bruinsma, Dean of Instruction, and Kara Blanton, Academic Advisor.
Earl Pottorff was born in Fairfield on December 5, 1928 to Frank and Irene Vaughan Pottorff. At the age of 5, his family moved to Plainfield, Illinois, where they settled and raised three boys. As an adult, Earl worked for Commonwealth Edison Company, the largest electric utility in Illinois serving Chicago and Northern Illinois from 1950 to 1987. After 37 years with the company, Earl retired and became an avid RV traveler with his wife Lorraine. They chose to settle in Fairfield in 1993. Earl was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and passed away at the age of 83 on November 9, 2012.
Lorraine Pottorff established the Earl Pottorff Memorial Scholarship in December 2012 as a way to honor her husband and help another young man begin a career in the public utility field. It is the first donation presented to the FCC Foundation specifically for a Career and Technical program that will last in perpetuity. The Earl R. Pottorff Memorial Scholarship is presented each year to a student enrolled in the EDS program.
Steve Rafferty Memorial Scholarship
Student Nathan Selby received the Steve Rafferty Memorial Scholarship, a $250 scholarship. He is pictured (center) with Dr. Paul Bruinsma, Dean of Instruction, and Kara Blanton, Academic Advisor.
The Steve Rafferty Memorial Scholarship was established in March 2014. Rafferty served as the Lead Faculty for the Electrical Distribution Systems Program at Frontier Community College from 2008 until his passing in March 2014. The $250 cash scholarship is designated for eligible EDS students.
Wayne-White Electrical Co-Op Scholarship
Student Mason Barrett was the recipient of the Wayne-White Electric Co-Op Scholarship in honor of Gerry Kinney. This one-year scholarship covers the recipient’s tuition, fees, and books.
Established in the summer of 2016, the Wayne-White Electric Co-Op Scholarship in honor of Gerry was created for FCC’s EDS students. The recipient will learn the trade and skills to begin a lineman career, just like Gerry enjoyed for 17 years.
Gerry Kinney was electrocuted by a high voltage power line in July 2015 and consequently lost both hands. Overcoming great obstacles, Gerry now shares his experience with many people. When speaking with EDS students, he reinforces the importance of safety in lineman work. Today, Gerry serves as the Lead Instructor for the EDS program.
The Electrical Distribution Systems program is a one-year certificate that provides training in building, repairing, and maintaining overhead and underground electrical distribution systems. Students also learn safe practices, pole climbing, hurt man rescue, and bucket truck operation. Upon graduation, students receive training to earn a Class-A CDL. For more information, or to apply for the program, call Frontier Community College at 618-842-3711.
