TCC’s Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) scholarship is now $10,000 larger thanks to generous community partners.
On the morning of Jan. 14, Curt Landrum, past president of the DFW chapter of PAMA, and Molly Kuhn of Richardson Aviation presented the TCC Foundation with a check for $10,000 to go toward the PAMA Scholarship. This money was a product of the 21st Annual PAMA DFW Golf Classic held on Nov .10 at the Iron Horse Golf Course. The check presentation was made during a meeting of the TCC Northwest President’s Executive Cabinet. Present alongside Landrum and Kuhn were Northwest President Zarina Blankenbaker; Liz Sisk, senior donor relations officer; Clint Grant, dean of Aviation, Transportation and Logistics; Judith Gallagher, vice president of Academic Affairs; Joe Rode, vice president of Student Development Services and Kirsten Cooper, executive director of Community Education and Engagement.
This is not the first time TCC has received a donation like this from PAMA.
“The PAMA annual golf tournament was started by Rubin Flores 22 years ago,” Grant said. “Mr. Flores was the local chapter president at the time and wished to provide a funding for students interested in attending the TCC Aircraft Maintenance Technology program and pursuing careers in aviation. The tournament has grown over the years and has provided many TCC students a tuition-free education thanks to the dedication of individuals and companies in the aviation maintenance industry.”
Over the past 10 years, the PAMA golf tournament has raised of $97,000 for TCC students. Every year, the golf tournament is attended by area industry professionals who work in aviation maintenance. Proceeds from the tournament go to funding the scholarship, which pays tuition, fees and textbook costs for students enrolled in the Associate of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology program. So long as students maintain a GPA over 2.5, they can continue to receive the scholarship until they graduate from the program.
So far, the scholarship has funded 16 students in the Aviation Maintenance program, including two students in the 2018-2019 academic year.
The DFW chapter of PAMA was started in 1972. According to their website, PAMA’s mission is “to promote professionalism to recognition of the Aviation Maintenance Technician through communication, education, representation and support – for continuous improvement in aviation safety.”
“The PAMA Scholarship is so valuable to TCC students in the aviation program,” Sisk said. “Those receiving this scholarship get not only the financial support from a very stout award, but also the emotional support from the entire PAMA membership.”