Thomaston Savings Bank (TSB) awarded NVCC student, Wilson Rosado a scholarship on December 8, so he could complete NVCC’s  Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program without the burden of tuition payments.

NVCC and TSB representatives gathered at the College’s state-of-the-art manufacturing center to present Rosado with his award, surrounded by his family, peers and instructors.

Rosado credits his father-in-law for encouraging him to begin a career in manufacturing after reading an article about it in the newspaper. After attending an NVCC information session with his wife and new son in June 2014, Rosado said, “My son is my motivation for going back to school.  I knew this was the right career for me--just look at the want ads and you can see that manufacturing is coming back strong.”

Having to stop working his part-time job in order to attend school full-time has been a hardship on his new family.  “This scholarship is perfect!  I am so thankful that I can concentrate on my classes now without worrying about tuition,” Rosado said.

Rosado’s essay was chosen from a pool of applicants.  “Wilson’s responsibility and commitment to the program really showed through in his essay.  It clearly communicated his focus on bettering his life for his son and his dedication to the program.  I was impressed with his leadership within the program as well,” TSB Senior Vice President and Chief Loan Officer, Kim Lebron said.

Thomaston Savings Bank President Stephen Lewis addressed the audience explaining that starting a manufacturing scholarship aligns perfectly with the bank’s roots.  “Many of our first customers worked in the manufacturing companies throughout our community,” Lewis said. He expressed how today, manufacturing contributes $17 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy and the importance of building strong manufacturing programs to keep our communities and our economy competitive.

In its second year of offering the TSB scholarship, Lewis said, “The scholarship is intended to make a difference in someone’s life. Wilson was the applicant who best portrayed that.”

NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D., gave closing remarks thanking Lewis and the bank for their commitment to community and for providing students with the opportunity “to obtain education to open their minds.”   She encouraged Rosado and the manufacturing students in attendance to never stop trying, “You are our hope and our future,” De Fillippis said.