OCTC Foundation Receives $25,000 Gift from Domtar for Student and Program Support

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (03/26/2025) — The Owensboro Community and Technical College Foundation, Inc. is thrilled to announce a generous $25,000 gift from Domtar to support student engagement and program initiatives at Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC). This significant contribution will be allocated to three key areas, enhancing educational opportunities and resources for OCTC students.

Trade Wars Event Support

Funds from this gift will support the upcoming Trade Wars event at the $5,000 Presenting Sponsor level. This event showcases students' professional and technical skills and talents, providing them with a platform to demonstrate their expertise and compete in a friendly yet challenging environment. Domtar will be the presenting sponsor for the Trade Wars event.

Creation of the Craftsman Closet

Domtar has also committed $10,000 to the creation of a Craftsman Closet at OCTC. This initiative aims to provide students with access to essential tools and materials, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed in their technical and vocational studies. The Craftsman Closet will be a valuable asset for students pursuing careers in skilled trades, offering them hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment.

Industrial Maintenance Program Equipment Needs

The remaining $10,000 will support equipment needs for the Industrial Maintenance program. This program is crucial for training students in maintaining and repairing industrial machinery, a skill set that is in high demand in the local and regional job markets. The funding will help OCTC acquire state-of-the-art equipment, including laser alignment tools for shaft alignment.

Sean Steele, Program Coordinator for the Industrial Maintenance Technology program at OCTC, spoke to the significance of this gift for the IM program, "These Laser Shaft Alignment tools will provide students the opportunity for hands-on experience with the tools they will be using on the job, and will better prepare students for the increasingly technology-driven industry they will enter upon graduation."

Sydney Warren, Executive Director of the OCTC Foundation and Chief Institutional Advancement Officer for OCTC, expressed her gratitude for Domtar's support, "we are incredibly grateful to Domtar for their generous gift. This contribution will have a profound impact on our students and programs, providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to confidently enter their career."

Dr. Scott Williams, President of OCTC, also commented on the significance of the gift, "Domtar's support is a testament to their commitment to education and community development. This gift will enhance our ability to provide high-quality education and training to our students, preparing them for successful careers in their chosen fields. We are excited about the opportunities this funding will create."

A check presentation ceremony was held on January 30, 2025 at the Owensboro Community and Technical College Main Campus.

Murray Hewitt, General Manager of Domtar Hawesville Mill, underscored the critical importance of their strong partnership with OCTC: "OCTC not only provides an exemplary complement to our apprenticeship program but also significantly enhances our local area's capacity to supply highly skilled labor at an unprecedented level. "

About Domtar

Domtar is a leading, privately held manufacturer of diversified forest products, with a workforce of about 14,000 employees in more than 60 locations across North America. The company has an annual production capacity of 9.1 million metric tons of pulp, paper, packaging and tissue, and approximately 3 billion board feet of lumber and other wood products. Formerly known as the Paper Excellence Group, Domtar is comprised of legacy businesses Paper Excellence, Domtar and Resolute Forest Products. Domtar prides itself on operational excellence, delivering sustainable, high-quality and cost-effective products to meet and exceed customer needs globally. The company is committed to turning sustainable wood fiber into everyday essential products. Domtar's principal executive office is located in Fort Mill, South Carolina. To learn more about Domtar visit www.domtar.com.

Owensboro Community & Technical College is one of the sixteen community and technical colleges that make up the Kentucky Community & Technical College System. OCTC serves the KY counties of Daviess, Hancock, Ohio and McLean. OCTC has three campuses in Daviess County and a Center and Annex in Hancock County. OCTC strives to serve the communities in the service area by providing associate degree education for transfer, state of the art technical education for students focusing on entering the workforce, customized business and industry solutions through the Workforce Solutions division, and adult education and business and industry testing through the SkillTrain unit.

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is the Commonwealth's largest postsecondary institution with 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses. We also are Kentucky's largest provider of workforce training and online education. Through partnerships with business and industry, we align our programs to meet the needs of local employers. We help students fulfill their dreams of creating a better life through programs that lead directly to jobs or help them transfer to one of our four-year partners.

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