The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF) and the Tennessee District of PMA are excited to announce their 2023 Fall educational scholarship recipient! This recipient has shown an interest in continuing their career in manufacturing through enrolling in academic courses or taking part in an apprenticeship/training program.
Adam Welsh – Tennessee Tech University, Machine Tool Technology
Scholarship Amount
– PMA Educational Foundation: $1,000
– Tennessee District: $2,000
– Total: $3,000
Adam is studying Machine Tool Technology at Tennessee College of Applied Technology Hartsville. He had always planned to attend TCAT Hartsville since both of his older brothers attended the institution. Within the first several weeks of attending, Adam realized that he thoroughly enjoyed being in the machine shop. He has had many opportunities to experience and display his knowledge of his career, and he is extremely blessed and grateful for them all. Adam’s accomplishments and inclusion in the institution have assisted his growth and made him who he is.
While attending TCAT Hartsville, Adam has actively participated in two student-led organizations, SkillsUSA and The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). He was nominated by SkillsUSA members to serve as Treasurer for the year 2022 – 2023. His first off-campus activity with SkillsUSA was attending the Tennessee Leadership Training Institute where he learned that a great leader must have confidence in himself and do what is right. He also attended the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Day on the Hill, where he met and talked with his legislator about career technical education in his community. Putting many hours of work into these two organizations has greatly benefited him.
In the spring of 2023, he competed in the SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference and demonstrated a job-specific skill related to his field. At the award ceremony he was awarded a gold medal for his work, but unfortunately a few days later received news that there was a mistake. He earned silver instead. He was very humbled by the experience and was awarded a trip to nationals free of charge to experience its level of competition.
Adam is also going into his second year of SME membership and attended the Precision Metalforming Association Tennessee District/SME annual golf fundraiser, an event where all the industry leaders come to play golf and share ideas. He volunteered to help set up and work at the event, spoke to many leaders, and asked what could be done to improve the workforce. His SME chapter also organizes tours around the area, where attendees can experience firsthand what jobs are available and what he could achieve. The tours have opened new doors for his career and made him see that he would be able to pursue an engineering degree. Adam plans to earn his engineering degree while at Tennessee Tech University.
During his time at TCAT, he was invited to join the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) and was nominated for the Statewide Outstanding Achievement Award (SOAR) for his academic achievements.
Adam also received the highest honor in the Boy Scouts of America. Receiving the Eagle Scout award like both of his brothers is most rewarding and it will follow him throughout his many endeavors in life.