The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology announced the 2016 Fall Pillar Scholarship winners and 2016 Education Access Grant winners.
The Pillar Scholarship winners are: Christopher Smith, CDT (Clearwater, Florida); Ghassan Halabia, CDT (El Cajon, California); Jeffery Davis, CDT (San Antonio, Texas); John Riaubia, CDT, TE (Marion, Texas); Kevin Prince (Warrenville, Illinois); Michael Brandon Patrick, CDT (Charlotte, North Carolina); Octavean Prince (Atlanta, Georgia); Olivia Carbajal (Carrollton, Texas); Rick Craighead (Tampa, Florida); Robert Block, CDT (Colorado Springs, Colorado); Robert Tankersley (Stow, Ohio); Sherleeta Simmons Talbot (Lithonia, Georgia); and Vickyann Cortes (Belle Chasse, Louisiana).
The Education Access Grant winners are: Bates Technical College (Tacoma, Washington); Durham Technical Community College (Durham, North Carolina); and Los Angeles City College (Los Angeles, California).
The Pillar Scholarship is designed to allow qualified dental technicians the opportunity to sit for the three examinations that comprise the Certified Dental Technician (CDT) examination process. Scholarship recipients will have their application and testing fees covered for them to take the written comprehensive examination, the written specialty examination, and the hands-on practical examination, one time each. The scholarship amount awarded varies upon the individual’s current certification process, but could potentially reach up to $935.00.
Modified and expanded in use from the original ADEA Grant, the Education Access Grant awards qualifying faculty members up to $750 to help cover the costs associated with attending an industry-related educational event (such as the National Association of Dental Laboratories Educator Conference), supplementing their institutional membership in ADEA, or a DLT educator or general educator course of their choice.
“It is due solely to the dedication from individuals and companies (dental laboratories, manufacturers, and suppliers) that the Foundation is able to offer these grants on a yearly basis,” Foundation Chair Jeff Stronk says. “With their regular contributions funding these two grants, we are able to encourage certification and support educational institutions in improving their program.”
All applications are accepted year round. Those interested in applying for 2017 grant/scholarship opportunities should visit dentallabfoundation.org and facebook.com/FoundationDLT.
