Pictured above: Recipients of the CN Scholarship include Willie Fisher of Utica, Keagan Baker of Warren, Ark., Robert Harris of Brandon, Dexter Johnson of Raymond and Cordarrayl Nichols of Canton, all of whom received the CN Scholarship. With them were Hinds Community College Diesel Technology Navigator Laurie George and CN manager of public works John Dinning.
CN has kept its trains running on time for more than a generation and is helping do the same for post-secondary education. “CN is proud to have been a supporter of Hinds Community College for the past 16 years,” said John Dinning, manager of public works for CN. “By supporting transportation-related education, CN is inspiring and helping today’s youth become tomorrow’s railroaders.”
The CN Scholarship Fund was established at Hinds in fall 2003 as part of the railroad’s commitment to support education in fields of study related to transportation. Scholarships range from $500 to $2,400 per year and are awarded in a number of career-tech programs of study, including Automotive Machinist, Diesel Equipment Technology, Welding and Cutting Technology, Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology and Industrial Maintenance.
Students eligible for the scholarship must be enrolled in at least 15 credit hours in one of those programs, completing 12 of them, and must demonstrate financial need. Also, they must maintain a 2.5 GPA and attend the scholarship reception held each fall.
Among this year’s recipients was Robert Harris, of Brandon. “Because I did not qualify for financial aid, this scholarship has given my parents and me unexpected assistance when we needed it most,” Harris said. “It was an honor to be asked to apply for the scholarship. I appreciate individuals and corporations that support students like me.”
Harris and others studying in transportation-related fields are the future of CN and other companies, Dinning said. “Today’s young people will be tomorrow’s leaders who will shape the success of our company in the years to come as our future leaders and bolster the economy for all of North America,” Dinning said. “North America’s economic competitiveness and prosperity is closely linked to the strength of our transportation infrastructure.”