$30,000 gift to Owens CC foundation for workers

10/24/2003

The Owens Community College Foundation has received a $30,000 donation from Private Industry Collaborative to endow a scholarship for dislocated or soon-to-be dislocated workers.

The first scholarships will be awarded in fall, 2004, to residents of Lucas or Wood counties based on financial need.

Private Industry Collaborative was founded in 1983 to administer federal employment and training funds. It closed last year and chose to disseminate its funds, according to Owens officials. Also, the foundation's board of directors, during its annual meeting, approved the appointment of J. Michael Wilder of Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC to the board.

Mr. Wilder of Findlay has been general counsel and secretary for Marathon Ashland since 1997. He is secretary-treasurer of Findlay-Hancock County Bar Association. The addition of Mr. Wilder brings the foundation board's membership to 21 directors, including three Findlay-area representatives. Owens has campuses in Perrysburg Township and Findlay.

The foundation was incorporated in 2002 and has more than $1.3 million in assets. It awarded $86,000 in scholarships and program support to 116 students this academic year.