Cerritos College
Cerritos College Foundation Awards Two Auto Scholarships
Jeannie M.T. Yang and SMCDA Automotive Technology Scholarships Honor Outstanding Students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2009
Media Contact:Aya Abelon, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451 ext.2287
NORWALK, Calif. – March 24, 2009 – The Cerritos College Foundation awarded two automotive scholarships to five promising students at its board meeting Thursday, March 12.
Todd Leutheuser, executive director of the Southland Motor Car Dealers Association (SMCDA), presented the Jeannie M.T. Yang Scholarship and SMCDA Automotive Technology Scholarship.
The Jeannie M.T. Yang Scholarship, a $500 award was presented to Michael Arce, of Lynwood, and Ramon Soto, of Huntington Park. The Jeannie M.T. Yang Automotive Scholarship awards a total of $2,000 each year to four promising students in the automotive department at Cerritos College. Established in memory of Dr. Jeannie M.T. Yang, a community college professor originally from mainland China, who had a great passion for education.
Michael Arce is currently enrolled in the Chrysler Automotive Program (CAP) and is set to graduate in the fall of 2010 with his associate degree in automotive mechanical repair. He is also working toward becoming a licensed smog technician and would eventually like to open his own smog station with his father.
Ramon Soto had been employed as a machinist for the past 13 years. Unfortunately, the company went out of business last year and he was laid off. Soto decided it was the perfect time to go back to school to study the field that he had always been interested in.
The SMCDA Automotive Technology Scholarship, a $600 tool voucher toward the purchase of MATCO tools was received by Vincent Gonzalez, of Cerritos; Max Guijarro, of Lynwood; Jose Hernandez, of Baldwin Park. This scholarship was designed to assist the college’s automotive apprentice program students in purchasing tools to use in their classes. The tool voucher, combined with the 50% tool discount program which MATCO also provides for Cerritos College automotive students, is actually worth $1,200.
Maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Vincent Gonzales is currently enrolled in his second semester of the CAP program and is working toward his associate degree in automotive technology. Upon completing his associate degree at Cerritos College, Gonzalez plans on continuing to a four-year university to earn his bachelor’s degree.
Max Guijarro began taking classes at Cerritos when he was still in high school and is set to earn his associate degree this semester at the age of 19. He is currently working as an automotive lab assistant through the ROP program. Guijarro also plans on pursuing his bachelor’s degree.
Jose Hernandez began taking automotive classes his senior year in high school and is now in his second semester in the Cerritos College CAP program. He is employed at Glendora Dodge Chrysler Jeep and is interested designing engines for future vehicles.
“These outstanding students all possess such tremendous potential,” said Leutheuser. “We wish them the very best in their pursuits and trust that these scholarships will assist them in reaching their career goals in the automotive industry.”
The Southland Motor Car Dealers Association represents franchised new car dealers throughout Southern Los Angeles County.
Cerritos College has offered automotive training technology since the college began in 1955. The offerings consist of certificates degrees and special programs in the disciplines of automotive repair, advanced transportation technology, auto collision repair, intelligent transportation systems and alternative fuel and EV hybrid vehicles, making it one of the most comprehensive programs in the U.S. Students can also earn a bachelor’s degree in automotive management at Cerritos College through an agreement the college has with Northwood University.
Cerritos College’s Auto Technology Program provides students with hands-on, nationally authorized training for GM, Ford, Chrysler and import vehicles. The College also hosts an Advanced Transportation Technology Center, one of nine Centers in the state of California, to encourage use and development of clean, renewable energies, and alternative fuel sources.
The Cerritos College Foundation, a non-profit organization, serves as a charitable vehicle for the community, individuals and alumni, to assist with financial support of Cerritos College beyond that which state funding supports. Visit the Foundation online at www.cerritos.edu/ccf.
Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 24,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at www.cerritos.edu.
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