Kevin Neal of Troy, Ohio, is the first recipient of the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC)/WyoTech Diesel Truck Technician Scholarship.

Guy Warpness, president of WyoTech's Laramie, Wyo., campus, presented Neal with his scholarship at the campus on Oct. 2.
The scholarship is part of an ongoing effort by TMC's Professional Technician Development Committee (PTDC) to promote and enhance the professionalism of commercial vehicle technicians. The scholarship is for 1,500 clock hours (nine months) attendance to WyoTech's Laramie campus.
"We were excited to find out that Kevin was already planning to attend WyoTech this October," said Warpness. "It's encouraging to find a young man of this caliber representing both TMC and WyoTech."
Neal, 18, attended a joint vocational high school and specialized in diesel engine training. By graduation he had participated in a year-long cooperative program through which he worked 40 hours at week with Kirk NationaLease, a TMC-affiliated company. Jim Baker, Neal's supervisor at Kirk's NationaLease, recommended he apply for the scholarship.
Neal says he has been interested in working on diesel trucks for years. He says he would like to work on over-the-road trucks and perhaps one day open his own shop where he can do custom work. He said he chose WyoTech because of its emphasis on education quality and professionalism.
To be considered for the TMC/WyoTech scholarship, a student:
• Must have a sponsor who is a current dues-paying member of the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), or is employed/contracted by a company with at least one current dues-paying TMC member.
• Must include with the application a letter of recommendation from the sponsor.
Applicants must be graduating from an accredited vocational, public, private or parochial high school. It is necessary for the applicant or applicant's high school counselor to send TMC a high school transcript showing the most recent three years' academic performance. WyoTech must accept applicants prior to award.
A full application can be obtained by calling TMC at (703) 838-1763 or downloaded at http://tmc.truckline.com. The entire package must be received by TMC no later than July 31, 2005 for consideration in the upcoming academic year.