GNTC President Heidi Popham (from left) stands with recipient of the Bobby Blair grant George News, Troy Bolt of the Rome Marine Corps League and Michelle Beatson, foundation administrator at GNTC Foundation
Two Georgia Northwestern Technical College students were chosen by the Jake Puryear Detachment 1020, Rome Marine Corps League to receive grants of $1,000 each based on letters submitted by the students to the league.
The league awarded Calhoun resident George News the Bobby Blair grant. Mr. News is pursuing an air conditioning technology degree while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. His grandfather is the late Jack News who served with the Marines in the Second Division during World War II.
Pamela Tallent, of Ringgold, received the Marine Corp League Detachment grant.
Ms. Tallent serves her community in Walker County through various charity programs and is in the social work assistant program at GNTC with a 4.0 GPA, as well.
The Bobby Blair grant was established by a donation from Marine and League member, Bobby Blair, who passed away shortly after his donation. Mr. Blair was a long time resident of Rome and owned an appliance repair business. The Rome Marine Corps League officers and Scholarship Foundation Trustee members decided to establish a technical college grant with the donation since Mr. Blair spent his life in the technical field.
The Marine Corp League Detachment grant was established several years ago with the funds received from fund-raising activities such as the Belk Charity Sales, raffles and donations to the league. The Rome Marine Corps League Detachment 1020 was established in 1999 and has over 200 members.